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6mo ago

Study Links Weight Loss Drugs to Reduced Suicide Risk in Obese Teens

Research shows adolescents on GLP-1 medications have fewer suicidal thoughts compared to those on lifestyle interventions.

A close-up side profile view face of a sad thoughtful teenager, sitting on a sofa at home, looking into the distance, feeling unhappy. Weight loss drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, have been found not to increase the likelihood of poor mental health, but perhaps to do the opposite.
(Credit: UfaBizPhoto/Shutterstock)
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Overview

  • Israeli researchers found a 33% lower risk of suicidal thoughts in teens using GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic.
  • The study analyzed medical records of nearly 7,000 obese adolescents aged 12 to 18 over a period of up to three years.
  • GLP-1 drugs, initially for diabetes, are gaining popularity for weight loss due to their appetite-reducing effects.
  • While teens on these drugs experienced more gastrointestinal side effects, they had a lower risk of acute pancreatitis.
  • Researchers urge further studies to confirm findings and explore the long-term mental health effects of these medications.