Prescription Rates for Adolescent Obesity Medications Remain Low Despite Recent Increases

New CDC data reveal a sharp rise in prescriptions for FDA-approved obesity medications among adolescents aged 12–17 with obesity—from 2020 to 2023, rates jumped 300%. Still, fewer than 1% of eligible adolescents received these medications in 2023, with most prescriptions going to those with severe obesity.

The findings underscore ongoing disparities by age, race, and gender and highlight the need for equitable, evidence-based obesity care. As the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends combining medications with lifestyle and behavioral treatment, continued monitoring and public health guidance will be critical to support access, safety, and long-term health outcomes for adolescents. Read the full MMWR here.