Should Children Be Taking Weight Loss Pills? (Science Based)

Parents and kids should be aware of particular ingredients commonly used in diet pills promising to help you lose weight without mentioning any possible health risks [1].

Although 11% of US adolescents aged 14-19 have used supplements for losing weight, the truth is that NO fat-burning ingredients are proven to be safe and effective for children [2] [3].

Here’s what you can typically find in them:

Herbal Diuretics and Laxatives

Many over-the-counter weight-loss products for kids contain herbs that work as diuretics and laxatives, such as Uva ursi, Dandelion, Juniper berry, Goldenseal, Senna (leaf and pod), Rhubarb root, etc.

These substances don’t actually enhance fat loss. Instead, they increase urine and other waste excretion and flush out the retained fluids from a child’s body.

More importantly, diuretic and laxative use in children hasn’t been studied enough for safety. These ingredients can cause serious side effects, including bloating, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, liver damage, even death [4].

Soluble Fibers

Many children’s weight loss supplements are also based on soluble fibers like Glucomannan, Psyllium, Pectin, Methylcellulose, and similar.

These compounds expand in the body and are advertised to make you feel full for longer. However, their safety in children is unproven, and they can also cause abdominal cramping and intestinal obstruction.

Most diet pills, including those widely available on the store shelves labeled as “all-natural,” aren’t safe for all adults, not to mention a child or a teenager whose smaller body’s still growing and developing.

Kids’ bodies are more sensitive to all medications. Supplements made for losing weight can compromise their healthy growth by preventing the body from taking in fats from food necessary to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

They can also suppress appetite, leading to a substantial caloric restriction that disrupts regular nutrient intake essential for adequate growth, activity, and recovery.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warn users that the use of laxatives, appetite suppressants, and other herbal products promising overnight weight loss actually cause water loss, making the weight come back when you stop using those products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) experts also warn parents and kids that around 70% of diet pills they’ve tested contain potent stimulants and other controlled substances that are harmful, addictive, even illegal.

Such substances in any form (pills, powder, etc.) promising a quick fix and increased breakdown of fat are unsafe for teenagers and may pose serious health risks, leading to side effects such as:

There’s no shortcut or magic pill to help you safely lose weight and maintain a healthy weight long-term.

“If a parent is concerned that their child may be overweight, it’s important to talk with their physician. Combining diet, exercise, and changes in lifestyle habits with medication can help seriously overweight adolescents manage their weight and reduce their risk of serious health problems.”

- Marc S. Jacobson, MD at Schneider Children’s Hospital

There are many dangers and only one viable solution - a healthy lifestyle that boils down to:

• Healthy food choices that’ll fulfill children’s unique nutritional needs, divided into regular, balanced, nourishing meals throughout the day (e.g., whole grains, veggies, fruits, no low-fat diets)
• Daily physical activity
• More sleep and less screen time

You could also use a multivitamin supplements designed for kids.