Claim: Weight loss drugs like Ozempic are now being prescribed to children as young as 12 in the US

The claim that weight loss drugs like Ozempic are being prescribed to children as young as 12 is mostly true. Reports from reputable sources, including the CDC and UCLA Health, indicate a significant increase in prescriptions for obesity medications among adolescents, including off-label use of Ozempic. However, some sources dispute this, highlighting that Ozempic is not FDA-approved for children, and caution against its use due to limited safety data. The models diverge sharply — treat this as higher-uncertainty. Perplexity comes in highest (95%), while Gemini is lowest (50%). Perplexity expresses higher confidence than Gemini on this claim. While the evidence supports the claim that Ozempic is being prescribed to adolescents, it is important to note that it is not FDA-approved for pediatric use, which raises concerns about safety and efficacy. Critics argue that the lack of long-term safety data and recommendations against weight-loss medications for children by some health organizations complicate the narrative. This uncertainty does not negate the increase in prescriptions but suggests caution in interpreting the data.