Archive · 7 Oct 2026
WHO Guidelines Caution Against Obesity Drugs and Surgery for Young Children
The World Health Organization has shared guidance about helping children with obesity.
It says weight-loss medicines and surgery should not be the main approach for children under 10.
Dr. Luz María De Regil said children need support that helps them eat healthily and be active.
The guidance also emphasizes making changes that can last.
WHO says children should be able to get good care and grow up in supportive environments.
This can help them maintain a healthy weight and support their health as they grow.
The World Health Organization issued new guidance on obesity care for children and adolescents.
The guidance cautions against weight-loss drugs and surgery for children under 10.
WHO nutrition director Luz María De Regil said care should not be founded on medicine or surgery.
She emphasized comprehensive support for healthy eating, physical activity and lasting behavior change.
WHO says children need access to quality care and supportive environments from an early age.
- Who
- The World Health Organization and its nutrition director, Dr. Luz María De Regil.
- What
- New obesity-care guidance cautions against weight-loss drugs and surgery for children under 10 and emphasizes comprehensive support.
- Why
- To help children reach and maintain a healthy weight and support lifelong health and well-being.
Comprehensive support first
Medical and surgical approaches
Foundation of obesity care for children
Comprehensive support first
Dr. Luz María De Regil said the foundation should be comprehensive support for healthy eating, physical activity and lasting behavior change.
Medical and surgical approaches
The guidance cautions against relying on weight-loss drugs or surgery for children under 10; the article does not provide a supporting viewpoint advocating those treatments.
- Organization
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Guidance focus
- Obesity care for children and adolescents
- Age mentioned
- Children under 10
- Treatments cautioned against
- Weight-loss drugs and surgery
- WHO representative
- Dr. Luz María De Regil, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety
- Care priorities
- Healthy eating, physical activity, lasting behavior change, quality care and supportive environments