Kathmandu. The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against the use of obesity-reducing drugs or surgery in children under the age of 10. Releasing guidelines for the first time to address the problem of obesity in children and adolescents, the WHO has recommended prioritizing treatment based on healthy eating, regular physical activity and long-term behavior changes.

According to the WHO, the use of drugs, bariatric surgery, or weight loss devices is not recommended for the treatment of obesity in children aged 0 to 9 years. In adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, the use of approved drugs can only be considered if the expected improvement is not achieved through a supervised multidimensional lifestyle program.

Bariatric surgery can be considered for severely obese adolescents if they meet strict criteria and medical conditions, according to the WHO. Such an option may be considered, especially if there are health complications such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure and have not received enough benefit from dietary and lifestyle improvements.

These recommendations are different from the WHO guidelines on obesity in adults. The Adult Guideline, issued in December 2025, stated that weight loss and diabetes control drugs can be used, along with GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro.

According to the WHO, in 2024, about 70 million children aged 5 to 9 years and about 100 million adolescents in the age group of 10 to 19 years were affected by obesity worldwide. The obesity rate in the age group of five to 19 years has increased from two percent in 1990 to eight percent in 2024.

Luz Maria de Regil, director of the WHO’s Department of Nutrition and Food Security, said obesity is increasing in all areas. According to him, the problem is increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, while the problem is still high in some high-income countries.

The WHO has said that along with obesity, the mental health of children and adolescents should also be taken care of. The organization has also drawn attention to the risk of social stigma and bullying faced by obese children, saying that anxiety, depression and low self-esteem can lead to unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity.