Endocrine Abstracts

Childhood obesity rates continue to rise, with 1/5 primary aged (Year 6) children now obese (NCMP 2022). Since 2023, Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has been licenced for use in children with severe obesity, aged 12-18 years, with licencing allowing prescription for two years. Semaglutide acts on central satiety pathways to reduce hunger signals, reduce gastric emptying and stimulate insulin secretion.

Objectives: 1) Pilot a group session for patients in a specialist weight management service, to commence Semaglutide; 2) assess experience of this group.

Method: The group protocol was developed by the Clinical Psychologist and Lead PENS, delivered in a face-to-face setting over two hours, once a month, with support from the Consultant Endocrinologist. Topics discussed include patient information leaflet, practical demonstration, side effects, lifestyle advice, behaviour change, SMART goals, and signposting to additional support. Patients and caregivers complete the PedsQL and a shared SMART goal. Patients/caregivers also complete an anonymous feedback questionnaire. The group delivers all medical information needed to start treatment, whilst emphasising the need for continued lifestyle changes, activity increase and healthy choices. Families are encouraged to incorporate behaviour change and goal-setting tasks into routine to make sustainable lifestyle changes whilst on Semaglutide.

Results: 25 patients attended the first 4 groups. 88% (22/25) were starting Semaglutide for the first time. 17 caregivers and 16 YPs completed the feedback questionnaire. The groups were well received (8.97/10 score, 10 = very helpful), and participants were highly likely to recommend to family/friends (9.15/10 score, 10 = extremely likely). 97% reported the session covered what was expected. 97% (32/33) respondents rated long term behaviour change alongside Semaglutide as ‘extremely’ or ‘somewhat important’.

Conclusion: Running group sessions has enabled more patients to start Semaglutide within a shorter time frame than nurse-led clinic availability allowed, and patients access specialist MDT support in a more cost effective way than individual clinic appointments. This group is a valuable, time/cost efficient resource to provide holistic care to patients starting Semaglutide, emphasising the ongoing need for lifestyle and activity changes. The group is well received and enables access to additional support services and signposting.