Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)

Differences in Obesity Medication Prescriptions for Teens and Young Adults from 2020 to 2025

Updated

Abstract

Among 1194 adolescents and young adults with obesity medication prescriptions, 56.7% received at least one fill.

  • Odds of dispensing obesity medications varied by drug type, with liraglutide, phentermine, and phentermine-topiramate showing higher odds compared to semaglutide, while tirzepatide had lower odds.
  • Hispanic adolescents and young adults had lower odds of receiving dispensed medications compared to non-Hispanic White peers.
  • Public or mixed insurance coverage and prescription coverage were associated with higher odds of dispensing.
  • Despite increasing rates of prescribing, the overall rates of dispensing declined over the study period.
  • Barriers to medication initiation may disproportionately affect certain racial and ethnic groups.

Simplified

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

What Lands in Your Inbox Each Week:

  • 📚7 fresh studies
  • 📝plain-language summaries
  • direct links to original studies
  • 🏅top journal indicators
  • 📅weekly delivery
  • 🧘‍♂️always free