Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Danish Adolescents and Young Adults 2018-2025
Youth GLP-1 drug use surged 50-fold in Denmark, raising urgent questions about psychiatric effects and long-term safety that warrant careful monitoring.
This nationwide Danish registry study documents an extraordinary 50-fold increase in GLP-1RA use among youth over 7 years, driven primarily by semaglutide for weight management, with substantial psychiatric comorbidity burden and low 1-year treatment persistence. The findings highlight an urgent public health signal requiring specialist guidance, long-term pediatric safety data, and mental health screening protocols.
What the study was
- Study design
- Drug utilization study (nationwide prescription, hospital, and laboratory registries)
- Population
- All 12- to 24-year-olds who filled a GLP-1RA prescription in Denmark (Jan 2018 – Dec 2025), from nationwide registries
- Category
- Public Health
- Maturity
- Validated
- Journal
- Obesity (Silver Spring)
Why it surfaced
First comprehensive Nordic nationwide registry study on GLP-1RA use in youth. 50-fold increase is an unprecedented pharmacoepidemiological signal. High psychiatric comorbidity (33%) and low adherence (38% at 1 year) raise important safety and mental health concerns for this vulnerable population.
A plain-language summary of published research — not medical advice. Talk to a clinician about your own care.