Teens and Ozempic? Let’s Talk About the Real Solution to Metabolic Health

You’ve probably heard the headlines: Teens are the new target for weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy (both forms of semaglutide). These medications, originally developed for adults with type 2 diabetes, are now being prescribed to adolescents as young as 12 to treat obesity.

As a parent, it’s hard not to feel torn. On one hand, you want your child to be healthy and confident in their body. On the other, giving a teenager a lifelong medication for weight loss feels...extreme. Especially when you’re not sure what else to do.

Let’s take a step back and talk about what’s really going on with teen weight gain, why semaglutide is not a magic fix, and what true, lasting solutions look like—without shame, quick fixes, or side effects.

What Is Semaglutide, and Why Is It Being Given to Teens?

Semaglutide mimics a hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. In simple terms: it slows digestion, reduces hunger, and helps people eat less.

It’s being prescribed to kids with obesity when lifestyle changes “aren’t enough.” But here’s the truth: we haven’t actually fixed the root causes—we’ve just skipped over them.

And with side effects like nausea, vomiting, muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, and long-term unknowns...many parents are asking: Is this really the best we can do?

What’s Really Behind Teen Weight Gain?

Before we hand over an injection pen, we have to ask: Why are so many kids gaining weight in the first place?

Here are the real root causes I see every day in clinic:

1. Insulin Resistance (The Hidden Culprit)

Teen bodies are incredibly sensitive to blood sugar swings. Ultra-processed foods, skipping meals, and sugary drinks spike insulin all day long. Over time, the body stops responding to insulin efficiently, leading to fat storage—especially around the belly.

Semaglutide treats the symptom of insulin resistance (appetite), but not the actual cause. With the right food, movement, and habits, we can reverse insulin resistance naturally.

2. Sleep Deprivation

Late-night scrolling and early school start times are a metabolic disaster. Just one night of poor sleep can cause insulin resistance and increase cravings for carbs and sugar.

3. Stress and Cortisol Overload

Teen stress is off the charts. Academic pressure, social media, and constant stimulation elevate cortisol. This stress hormone increases appetite and encourages the body to store fat.

4. Nutrient Deficiencies

Low magnesium, B vitamins, and omega-3s? Common in teens—and all critical for metabolism, mood, and energy. Without them, it’s harder for the body to burn fat or build muscle. Nutrient deficiencies are a side effect of an ultraprocessed diet–food that is devoid of nutrients. 

So What’s the Alternative to Ozempic?

Here’s the truth I wish every parent knew:

You don’t need a lifelong medication to fix a problem the body wants to heal.

You need a root cause approach that includes:

🥦 Real Food (Not Restriction)

Focusing on protein, fiber, and healthy fats helps stabilize insulin, reduce cravings, and support healthy hormones—without obsessing over calories.

🏃‍♀️ Movement (Not Over-Exercising)

Strength training and daily walks do more for insulin resistance and metabolism than overtraining or punishing workouts. (Bonus: they help regulate mood and sleep too!)

🌿 Gut + Liver Support

Most teens have sluggish detox pathways and gut imbalances from antibiotics, processed food, and chronic stress. Supporting digestion and detox helps reduce inflammation and improve metabolism.

🧠 Nervous System Support

Calming a dysregulated nervous system through sleep hygiene, blood sugar balance, and nervous system retraining (like vagus nerve work) is huge for healing metabolic issues.

Real Talk: No Teen Should Feel Broken

Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs might seem like an easy solution—but when we dig deeper, we see that your child isn’t broken.

Their body is responding to the environment it’s been handed: fast food, constant stress, blue light at night, and a lack of support for their changing biology.

They don’t need shame.

They don’t need starvation.

And they definitely don’t need a $1,000/month injection to “fix” them.

Let’s Help Teens Reclaim Their Health—Naturally

If your teen is struggling with weight, mood swings, or energy crashes, there’s a better path forward. At Larson Family Health, we help families uncover the real reasons behind metabolic health struggles—and build habits that last a lifetime.

Want to learn more about how we reverse insulin resistance, support metabolism, and heal the body from the inside out?

👉 Email me [email protected] and we’ll set up a complimentary 15-minute consultation to see if my approach will work for you (or your teen).