Mother turns to weight loss drugs to combat daughter's obesity

In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in the use of weight loss medications among adolescents. Kait Handler, a 40-year-old mother, recognized the weight struggles of her daughter, Birdie, who, at age 12, was classified as clinically obese, weighing 161.5 pounds at 5 feet 1 inch tall. Kait herself had battled weight issues since childhood and, noticing Birdie's difficulty with self-worth and eating habits, sought more extreme measures beyond traditional weight loss camps to address her daughter's obesity. This prompted Kait to experiment with compounded versions of tirzepatide, a medication that has also shown promise in helping adults lose significant weight, as she managed to shed 75 pounds herself. With the FDA's late 2022 approval of Wegovy for weight loss in children over 12, the use of GLP-1 drugs among young people surged, rising dramatically from 8,700 prescriptions in 2020 to 60,000 in 2023. Kait argued that offering Birdie weight loss medications could serve as a valuable tool in alleviating her daughter's struggles with body image. Birdie's father noted that the medications eased familial tensions surrounding weight, removing the emotional strain that often accompanies discussions about eating and body image. However, experts warn that while many young patients report manageable side effects, some may experience severe nausea or gastrointestinal issues. Pediatricians emphasize the importance of understanding the long-term safety and effectiveness of these drugs for children. As Kait Handler expressed, despite her initial apprehension about medications, she now feels a sense of hope relieved from her own past weight-related shame and wishing for a happier future for her daughter.