A new analysis suggests GLP-1 medicines can produce meaningful weight loss in adolescents without diabetes, although important questions remain about long-term use. GLP-1 medicines work by acting like a hormone the body naturally releases after food enters the digestive system. Because people may feel satisfied with less food, GLP-1 drugs can lead to substantial weight loss. Several GLP-1 drugs are now approved in some places for obesity treatment beginning at age 12. GLP-1 medicines are not generally approved for obesity in children under 12 simply because younger participants appeared in research trials.