Ozempic for kids? Canada’s approach to childhood obesity gets major overhaul – CBC
April 15, 2025
For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) has released new guidelines on how to treat children and teenagers living with obesity. The new approach emphasizes early intervention, individual care and moving away from the historic “eat less, move more” approach.
“We know if it was that easy, many people would be doing it by now and we wouldn’t have the problem we face today,” said Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, scientific director of Obesity Canada and psychiatry professor at the University of Toronto. “So it really doesn’t do justice to obesity being a chronic disease that has complex causes and pathways.”
The 10 new recommendations, published Monday by the CMAJ, emphasize a focus on mental health and quality of life over the numbers on a scale.
“We now have a lot better understanding of obesity as a chronic disease and how it works,” said Ian Patton, director of advocacy and public engagement at Obesity Canada. “So the recommendations focus on early intervention and making sure timely care happens.”
The recommendations also urge a “family centric” approach to care, rather than simply treating the individual behaviours of a child. Surgery and glp-1 medication like Ozempic or Wegovy, are also recommended when appropriate.
