The research, published in the journal Childhood Obesity, examined the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, commonly known as GLP-1 medications, among children aged 10 to 17.
Researchers analysed health insurance claims data covering more than 100 million patients in the United States between 2017 and 2022. They identified 2,031 children who started GLP-1 treatment and had no previous diagnosis of a nutritional deficiency.
Within one year of beginning treatment, 16.8% of the children were diagnosed with at least one nutritional deficiency or related complication.
Vitamin D deficiency was the most commonly recorded condition, affecting 12.4% of the children. Nutritional anaemia was diagnosed in 1.55%, while iron-deficiency anaemia affected 1.44% of those included in the study.
Researchers said adequate nutrition is particularly important during adolescence because the body requires essential nutrients to support bone development, muscle growth and puberty.
GLP-1 medications can reduce appetite and food intake, which may make it more difficult for some young patients to consume enough nutrients.
'Nutrients such as vitamin D, iron and calcium are of particular concern during adolescence,' said Justin Ryder, a senior author of the study and a researcher at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
The study also found that nutritional counselling was not commonly provided soon after children began GLP-1 treatment. Only 5.8% of patients had a nutrition therapy or counselling visit within 30 days of starting treatment, while 23.3% received such care within six months.
The researchers said these findings highlight the importance of nutritional support and monitoring for children receiving GLP-1 medications.
However, the study does not prove that GLP-1 drugs directly caused the nutritional deficiencies.
The researchers relied on health insurance claims data, which provide information about diagnoses and medical services but do not contain detailed information about patients' diets or laboratory results.
The data also ended in 2022, meaning treatment patterns may have changed as the use of GLP-1 medications expanded.
The researchers concluded that nutritional screening, counselling and continued monitoring could be incorporated into pediatric GLP-1 treatment to help support healthy growth and development.
