Liraglutide investigated for additional weight loss in adolescents with obesity after sleeve gastrectomy

Obesity in adolescents is a significant public health challenge, with Metabolic Bariatric Surgery, particularly vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), being the most effective treatment for severe cases. However, a substantial number of adolescents still experience persistent obesity or weight regain one year post-surgery. This highlights a critical unmet need for adjunctive therapies to sustain weight loss and improve long-term outcomes. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists like liraglutide, known for their efficacy in chronic weight management, are being explored as a potential solution to address this post-surgical weight management gap.

This study is designed as an intervention trial in healthy adolescents aged 12-20.99 years who are 1-10 years post-VSG and have a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or ≥95th percentile. Participants will undergo comprehensive screening including medical history, physical exam, questionnaires, blood and urine tests, and nutrition counseling with diet logs. Physical activity will be monitored for 14 days using a wrist accelerometer. The primary intervention involves daily subcutaneous administration of liraglutide for 16 weeks. Efficacy will be assessed through body scans for muscle and fat composition, oral glucose tolerance tests, and controlled buffet meals to quantify food intake and assess appetite/mood. The total study duration is 7 months, involving up to 7 study visits.