Adolescents have an increased likelihood of obesity compared to adults, and this can lead to serious health complications due to their excess pounds. Obesity has been known to increase the risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and depression in these vulnerable groups. New research suggests semaglutide, a medication already approved for obese adults, may also help young people lose weight. According to The New England Journal of Medicine study, overweight or obese adolescents who received once-weekly doses of semaglutide and followed lifestyle interventions experienced 16.1% greater decrease in BMI over 68 weeks than those taking placebo. In addition, gastrointestinal events such as nausea, diarrhea and constipation occurred more frequently in the semaglutide group than the placebo group. Cholelithiasis was the most serious adverse event - occurring to one out of every 4 participants randomized to semaglutide and none randomized to placebo. Semaglutide has been use in adolescents, but we do not treat anyone under age 21 at Livio Med Spa.