Teen who lost 40kg says weight-loss journey changed his life, as UAE doctor warns injections are not a quick fix.
Growing awareness around weight-loss injections is leading more UAE parents to seek medical advice on whether these treatments could benefit their children. However, specialists caution that such medicines are appropriate only for carefully selected patients and should not be viewed as a quick solution for weight loss.
“People are discussing these treatments widely on social media and in the news,” said Dr Reham Ghanim, paediatric endocrinologist at Metabolic. “We are seeing many patients coming in with questions about GLP-1 medications.”
She said one of the most common misconceptions among parents is the belief that any GLP-1 medication approved for children can automatically be used as a weight-loss treatment.
“When parents hear that a treatment is approved for children, they sometimes assume it works like a simple medicine for fever — a quick fix,” she said.
Dr Ghanim explained that GLP-1 medications differ in their approved uses, and not every treatment in this category is intended or suitable for weight management in children.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is approved for treating obesity in adolescents aged 12 and above when specific medical criteria are met. Mounjaro (tirzepatide), meanwhile, is approved for treating type 2 diabetes in children aged 10 and older, but not specifically for weight loss.
Dr Ghanim said GLP-1 medications are considered only after lifestyle changes have been properly introduced and when obesity is linked to health complications such as insulin resistance, prediabetes, diabetes, fatty liver disease or high cholesterol.
“They are breakthrough medications, but they are not magic pills,” she said. “Parents need to understand that these are serious medical treatments requiring long-term commitment to healthy eating, physical activity and regular follow-up.”
‘I got tired climbing one flight of stairs’
For 14-year-old Bera Ayaz, treatment became part of a wider transformation involving major lifestyle changes. Before starting Wegovy in May 2025, he struggled with overeating, severe insulin resistance and frequent stomach issues.
“I realised intervention was necessary when I became tired even after climbing one flight of stairs,” he said. “I would often feel breathless in situations where I shouldn’t have been.”
Although he remained active in football and basketball, Bera said his weight affected his confidence and how others viewed him. While he had support from close friends, he felt less accepted among some peers.
He said medication alone was not responsible for his progress. After beginning treatment, he combined it with a calorie-controlled diet, regular gym sessions and increased exercise later in the year.
Since then, he has lost 40kg, reducing his weight from 94kg to 54kg.
“The biggest change in my life was how people treated me, but also how much easier it became to shop, live normally and participate in sports,” he said. “I went from being the last pick when teams were chosen to the first pick.”
He added that some classmates who once bullied him have since become friends.
Treatment requires commitment
The teenager said his experience with the medication was mostly positive, although increasing the dose led to a period of severe stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. He also experienced body dysmorphia, saying he sometimes struggled to recognise the changes in his appearance despite others noticing them.
Now gradually reducing his dosage under medical supervision, Bera said his main concern is whether his appetite will return after stopping treatment.
“I believe I’ll be able to manage it because of my calorie deficit and the discipline I built while learning to control food cravings,” he said. “I’m happy to finally stop GLP.”
Dr Ghanim said his experience highlights why GLP-1 medications must always be combined with sustainable lifestyle changes.
“If GLP-1 is used alone, weight regain is very likely after stopping,” she said. “The aim is to build healthy eating habits and regular physical activity while the medication helps make that process easier.”
She added that children receiving GLP-1 therapy require regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, liver health, cholesterol, muscle mass, bone health and growth. Treatment plans must be personalised based on each child’s medical needs.
“Obesity is a chronic disease,” she said. “These medications are one tool, but they are most effective when combined with long-term lifestyle changes, family support and close medical supervision.”
