Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Danish Adolescents and Young Adults 2018-2025.
Semaglutide is taking off in Danish research circles, especially among younger populations. A 2024 study published in Obesity (Silver Spring) tracked the surge in glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) prescriptions among Danes aged 12 to 24 from 2018 through 2025, with semaglutide leading the charge. The numbers are wild — a more than 50-fold increase in new users over the study period. By 2025, 418 new users per 100,000 people in this age group had started on a GLP-1RA, mostly for weight management.
Obesity (Silver Spring)
by Kildegaard H, Andersen JH, Vinding RK et al.
“Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Danish Adolescents and Young Adults 2018-2025. Kildegaard H(1)(2), Andersen JH(2), Vinding RK(3)(4)(5), Kloppenborg JT(3)(6), Pottegård A(2). Author information: (1)Mary Elizabeths Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. (2)Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy, and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. (3)Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark. (4)COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Copenhagen University Hospital-Herlev and Gentofte, Gentofte, Denmark. (5)Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. (6)Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. OBJECTIVE: Use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) has increased rapidly following approval for obesity treatment, but data on their use in younger populations remain limited. We examined trends in GLP-1RA use among 12- to 24-year-olds in Denmark during 2018-2025. METHODS: Using nationwide prescription, hospital, and laboratory registries, we conducted a drug utilization study including all 12- to 24-year-olds who filled a GLP-1RA prescription between January 2018 and December 2025. We described incidence of use, baseline characteristics, prescribing patterns, and treatment persistence. RESULTS: GLP-1RA use rose more than 50-fold across the study period, reaching 418 new users per 100,000 by 2025, driven by semaglutide for weight management. Uptake was steepest among individuals aged 18-24 years (from 13 to 686 per 100,000) and more modest among adolescents aged 12-17 years (from 1.7 to 72 per 100,000). Most users were female, few had diabetes, and 33% had psychiatric comorbidity, particularly emotional and neurodevelopmental disorders. By 2025, 78% of new treatments were initiated in general practice. Only 38% were covered by a prescription after 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate rapid uptake of GLP-1RAs in youth and the need for specialist involvement, long-term safety data, and careful evaluation of mental health in this population. © 2026 The Author(s). Obesity published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Obesity Society.”
Key takeaway: semaglutide isn’t just a niche research compound anymore. It’s central to youth obesity studies in Denmark and probably soon elsewhere.
Breakdown from the data:
The steepest rise in use was among 18-24 year olds — from 13 to 686 per 100,000.
Uptake among 12-17 year olds grew too, though not as fast: from 1.7 to 72 per 100,000.
Most users were female. Few had diabetes.
About one-third had some psychiatric comorbidity, especially emotional or neurodevelopmental disorders.
By 2025, 78% of new starts happened in general practice, not specialist clinics.
Only 38% of users were still covered by a prescription after one year — a signal for more work on persistence.
The study highlights major momentum for semaglutide research in younger cohorts. It also flags the need for more long-term safety data and for researchers to watch for mental health trends in study participants.
Anyone tracking trends in semaglutide or youth obesity studies should keep an eye on these numbers. For sourcing this compound, check the vendor directory to see who’s keeping up with demand. The semaglutide wave in youth research is just getting started.
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