Parent and Guardian Opinions on Obesity Medications Use in Adolescents with Obesity and Related Comorbidities

Abstract

Background:

There are now four FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs) for youth ≥12 years, which can be effective therapies to treat obesity and obesity-related comorbidities.

Objectives:

This study describes parent/guardian (caregiver) openness to using AOMs for adolescents with obesity and evaluates factors that may contribute to openness.

Methods:

Caregivers of adolescents aged 12–17 years were surveyed. Self-reported height, weight, demographic information, family, and personal history of obesity or obesity-related comorbidities were collected. Participants rated their openness to starting an AOM for their child for obesity alone or obesity-related comorbidities on a 7-point Likert scale. A Likert rating of less than 4 was considered “less open” versus 4–7 was considered “more open.”

Results:

A total of 344 participants completed the survey. Average openness toward AOM use for obesity as the only indication (as opposed to comorbid conditions) was 3.2 ± 1.74. Caregivers who were knowledgeable that the FDA-approved AOM use in adolescents had greater odds of being open to using these medications compared with caregivers who were not knowledgeable (odds ratio: 2.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.25–2.86).

Conclusions:

Caregivers reported openness to starting an AOM if they had prior knowledge of these medications, highlighting the need for family education on AOM use and indications.