If you've heard the chatter about weight loss jabs and injections like Ozempic showing up in pediatrics, you're not alone — and you're likely full of questions. Are they safe for kids? Are they really effective? Or are we rushing into something without knowing the risks?

While childhood obesity rates continue to rise in the U.S., parents and doctors are looking at all possible ways to help kids with weight issues and that now includes GLP-1 receptor agonists, a type of medication first developed for adults with type 2 diabetes. Before making assumptions, though, it's worth taking a closer look at what the latest studies actually report about prescribing these medications to children and adolescents.

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels worldwide, threatening the health of millions of young lives. With conventional interventions proving to be of limited value, the question on everyone's mind is: might highly effective weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic (semaglutide) be a safe option for children? As researchers investigate this potential, a heated controversy has erupted, balancing the promise of pharmacological intervention against its deep uncertainties.

Rates of obesity among youth have risen astronomically in the last several decades. Since 1975, global rates of obesity have increased threefold, while childhood and adolescent rates have risen nearly fivefold, as reported by the World Health Organization. In the United States alone, close to 20% of children aged under 18 have obesity—a condition that has been linked with a plethora of lifetime health dangers, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and severe mental illness.

Likewise, in the UK, data from the NHS in 2022 reported that 15% of children aged between 2 and 15 were considered obese. If not treated, projections by the World Obesity Federation estimate that 250 million children worldwide may be suffering from obesity by 2030. It's not only medical but also economic—lifetime healthcare expenses for addressing childhood obesity in the U.S. can be as much as $20,000 more than their healthy-weight peers.

Is It Safe or Just a Quick Fix for Kids?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed the treatment of adult obesity. These drugs simulate a natural hormone that slows down gastric emptying, enhances sensations of fullness, and suppresses appetite. In adults, GLP-1 treatments have shown impressive advantages not just for weight loss but also for diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer's disease, potentially.

As a result of their success in adults, researchers have been looking to see if such benefits can translate to children. A landmark study in 2022 in the New England Journal of Medicine enrolled 201 teens between the ages of 12 and 17. Following 68 weeks of once-weekly injections of semaglutide plus lifestyle intervention, 62% of those enrolled lost at least 10% of their weight, whereas only 8% of those receiving a placebo did. More than half had lost 15% or more of their weight, highlighting the efficacy of the drug.

Worried About Side Effects?

It is to be expected that parents would worry about adding medications such as GLP-1 agonists — including Ozempic — to their child's treatment regimen. Recent research has determined that while GLP-1 injections are very effective in helping adolescents who have obesity lose weight, they do have side effects. The most often reported are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Fatigue and dizziness are also experienced by some children as their body adapts to the medication.

Studies in medical literature point out that although these side effects are usually tolerable, the long-term effect of GLP-1 administration in young, developing bodies is still under assessment. Clinical trials to date indicate that the majority of side effects are mild to moderate and decrease over time. Nevertheless, serious but rare risks such as pancreatitis and gallbladder disease have been reported, emphasizing the need for continued medical monitoring.

Official Guidelines for Using GLP-1 Drugs in Children With Obesity

Regulatory agencies are gradually embracing these findings in the wake of this. Ozempic itself is not yet approved for pediatric use, but a higher-dose formulation of semaglutide called Wegovy was approved by the FDA in 2022 for adolescents 12 years and above with obesity.

Canada recently revised its national guidelines, suggesting that children as young as 12 might be candidates for GLP-1 therapies if lifestyle interventions alone are not enough. The new guidelines, developed by more than 50 experts and including feedback from families with obesity, focus on a comprehensive approach: integrating behavioral strategies with pharmacologic or surgical approaches when needed.

Are Weight Loss Injections the Right Choice for Managing Childhood Obesity?

Despite growing enthusiasm, the use of Ozempic in young populations remains highly controversial. Critics argue that the long-term safety of GLP-1 agonists in children is unknown. Studies to date have been limited in scope, largely industry-sponsored, and have not adequately measured potential psychological side effects, including risks of disordered eating and body dissatisfaction.

Youngsters and adolescents are especially at risk. The body changes of adolescence, along with strong social demands, make adolescent weight control tricky. Specialists alert that medicalizing weight loss at this pivotal time of development potentially has unforeseen mental health costs, including increased vulnerability to eating disorders, worry, and despondency.

Additionally, there are no long-term data on the effects of these drugs on growth, hormonal development, or future fertility. In recognition of these uncertainties, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has suggested against the routine use of weight-loss medications in children due to a lack of evidence of long-term safety.

How is Obesity In Kids Treated Currently?

Structured lifestyle interventions—focusing on diet, exercise, and behavioral modification—are currently the first-line management of childhood obesity. They are only abandoned when these prove unsuccessful, and more intrusive measures, such as pharmacotherapy or bariatric surgery, are then sought. Conventional methods have found it difficult to achieve success, though, considering the environmental and socio-economic determinants affecting a child's capacity for a healthy way of living.

Obese adolescents are frequently bullied, stigmatized, and subject to systemic barriers that reinforce their condition. These events not only complicate weight loss but also contribute to severe mental health issues, such as self-injury and suicidal thoughts.

What Pediatricians Want Parents to Know About Ozempic and Childhood Obesity

When managing childhood obesity, pediatricians emphasize that weight loss injections such as Ozempic are not meant to be a magic pill. Specialists highlight that Ozempic is intended to complement not substitute for improved eating habits, more physical activity, and emotional balance.

Pediatricians encourage parents to understand that obesity is a complex, chronic illness that is typically driven by genetics, environment, and behavior. Weight loss shots can be a useful tool for kids with severe obesity, particularly when standard therapies have failed. But physicians warn that unless the underlying causes — including diet, screen time, and mental health — are tackled, the rewards of Ozempic may not last long.

Although GLP-1 receptor agonists represent an exciting new agent for the treatment of pediatric obesity, their introduction should be carefully considered. Physician experts recommend scrupulous selection of patients, thorough counseling, and regular follow-up to confirm that medications form part of an overall supportive plan of care to meet physical as well as psychologic needs.

Additional independent, long-term research is essential to truly appreciate the consequences of prescribing drugs such as Ozempic to children. As the situation continues to change, clinicians, families, and policymakers need to weigh the imperative to treat the obesity epidemic against the moral obligation to protect children's future health.

In the meantime, the application of Ozempic and other such drugs to adolescents is a promising but complicated territory one that requires cautious deliberation, intense study, and an unwavering commitment to placing children's health interests above all else.

As the summer sun rises high, everyone anticipates relief from seasonal sniffles. Yet increasingly, more and more people are falling ill with cold-like symptoms in warmer weather too. The twist? A new Covid strain—NB.1.8.1—is spreading low-key around the world, from Asia to America and the UK. The challenge is distinguishing between a run-of-the-mill summer cold and a COVID-19 infection.

Typically, respiratory illnesses peak in the colder months when more time is spent indoors and dry air allows viruses to be more easily susceptible. Summer, however, is not virus-free. Parainfluenza virus Type 3, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, and even rhinoviruses are still causing issues in warmer climates. Social events, travel, lack of rest, more alcohol consumption, and air conditioning all set the stage for infections.

Complicating the situation further this summer is the discovery of the NB.1.8.1 Covid strain. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) only recently started monitoring it, scientists are closely monitoring its trajectory and possible implications.

Initially discovered in China in January 2025, NB.1.8.1 has a number of mutations that have caught the eye of the world's health authorities. The good news? There is as yet no evidence to suggest it results in more serious disease. In fact, U.K. Health Security Agency statistics indicate a modest rise in COVID cases with 5.2% of patients positive—up from 4.5% last week.

To date, just 13 of the confirmed NB.1.8.1 cases in the U.K. have been sequenced, the majority of them in April and May. While uncommon at present, the fact that it shares features with other variants of Covid means caution is still crucial.

Summer Colds vs. NB.1.8.1 Covid: Why It's Hard to Tell the Difference?

Both summer colds and Covid-19 have common symptoms such as:

• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Nausea or vomiting

However some symptoms will tend more towards Covid, such as:

• Fever or chills
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of taste or smell, new
• Gastrointestinal illness such as diarrhea

There is no guaranteed way to tell the difference between a summer cold and Covid without doing a diagnostic test. Mild COVID-19 symptoms are easily mistaken for other seasonal viruses.

What Exactly Is a Summer Cold?

Colds—seasonal or not—are viral illnesses that are transmitted by respiratory droplets, fomites (contaminated surfaces), or close proximity. The main culprits are rhinoviruses, especially during the winter months, but the warmer months experience an upsurge in viruses such as parainfluenza, enteroviruses (coxsackie and echovirus), and adenoviruses.

Summer activities—weddings, concerts, holidays—promote intimate contact between groups, and typical summer behaviors such as drinking, bad sleep, and poor diet compromise immune systems. Air conditioning units, by dehydrating nasal passages, also impair the body's resistance to viral invaders.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges anyone with cold-like symptoms to monitor closely. Covid-19 symptoms can appear two to 14 days after exposure and vary from mild to severe. The virus can be contagious two days before symptoms emerge and up to 10 days—or more—in immunocompromised individuals.

If you’re feeling unwell, the best course of action is to:

• Stay home and rest
• Wear a mask if around others
• Get a COVID-19 test
• Talk to your healthcare provider

Timely treatment, such as antiviral therapy with Paxlovid, is ensured through accurate diagnosis, particularly among high-risk individuals.

Can Vaccines Protect Against NB.1.8.1?

While a newer vaccine aimed at fall variants is being developed, the existing vaccines remain protective against NB.1.8.1. The variant is of the "drifter" type from the Omicron lineage, which indicates earlier immunity could still help prevent severe disease.

Dr. Aaron Chen, a Johns Hopkins University virologist, observes, "Although mutation is unavoidable, current vaccines remain effective in preventing hospitalization and complications from new variants, such as NB.1.8.1."

How To Avoid Getting Sick This Summer?

There's no surefire way to completely avoid viruses, unfortunately. But here are some practical tips from experts:

• Drink plenty of water and moderate your booze
• Consume a nutrient-dense diet full of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins
• Get good rest and reduce stress levels
• Clean those surfaces that are touched most often such as airplane trays, phones, and exercise equipment
• Supplement with vitamin D if one is deficient since it enhances immune function
• Wash hands frequently, do not share food or beverages, and wear a mask in public indoor areas

What If You Do Get Sick?

Most people recover from summer colds and mild Covid-19 at home. Supportive care—hydration, over-the-counter pain relief, and rest—is typically enough. Nasal decongestants and lozenges can ease symptoms, while more serious or persistent cases warrant medical consultation.

If you suspect Covid, getting tested is crucial—not only for your health but for the wellbeing of those around you.

The terrifying crash of an Air India flight in Ahmedabad killing 241 people with just one British passenger surviving has sent shockwaves around the world. Although flying is statistically one of the safest ways to travel, such traumatic incidents can revive old terrors in even the most experienced of travelers. To the 25 million Americans who already suffer from aerophobia, the technical name for the fear of flying, this awful news might be more than just upsetting. It might be debilitating.

Mental health experts caution that such events can amplify already-existing anxiety, fueling catastrophic thinking and resulting in severe avoidance of travel. And yet, despite the fear, there are ways to deal with flight anxiety that are evidence-based and even get over it.

What is Aerophobia?

Aerophobia refers to a severe, irrational fear of flight. While some may equate it with fear of a plane crash, most individuals afflicted by the condition actually fear more the sense of intense panic that grips them before or in transit. This encompasses fear of confinement in an airplane, losing control of one's flight, or experiencing a panic attack at altitude.

"Aviophobia or aerophobia is very prevalent," states Clinical Psychologist Akansha Tayal. "Prevalence rates are 10% to 35%, and most people feel very uncomfortable, particularly when faced with reports of aviation accidents. The fear itself is usually irrational and disproportionate to the real danger posed."

Symptoms tend to occur across three areas:

Physical: Palpitations of the heart, sweating, dizziness, nausea.

Emotional: Irritability, restlessness, overwhelming fear.

Cognitive: Catastrophic thinking, obsessive worry, avoidance activities.

Even as frightening as crashes might appear, aviation safety has only enhanced. According to a 2023 analysis by MIT scientists, the probability of being killed in a commercial airline accident around the world is approximately 1 in 13.7 million. Even so, the public eye and emotional intensity of aviation disasters often overshadow their statistical infrequency when it comes to those suffering with aerophobia.

This psychological effect availability bias is the reason why tragic headlines seem so close to home and threateningly personal. "Our brains are hardwired to respond to threat cues," says Ms Tayal. "Even an unlikely event will feel like a personal risk when it's sensationalized or emotionally jarring."

How to Recognize the Signs of Flight Anxiety?

If you're avoiding travel, unwilling to get on airplanes, or preoccupied with air safety, you might have clinical aerophobia. In addition to discomfort, you might experience:

• Panic attacks during or prior to flying
• Flight avoidance media
• Overresearching crash records or airline safety
• Repetitive behaviors (reviewing weather forecasts, switching seats)
• Interference with sleep prior to departure or illness due to tension

Expert-Backed Strategies to Overcome Aerophobia

While aerophobia can feel paralyzing, it’s highly treatable. Experts recommend a mix of self-help techniques and professional interventions.

1. Cognitive Restructuring

Challenge irrational fears by learning facts about flight safety. Avoid sensational news and instead focus on what you’re looking forward to. Keep a mental list of safe flight experiences.

2. Relaxation Techniques

Practice slow breathing with a soothing word such as "peace." It reduces the heart rate and quenches stress hormone activity. Mindfulness techniques and progressive muscle relaxation can also keep your body connected.

3. Cope Ahead Visualization

Rehearse a peaceful flight experience in your mind—from getting on the plane to arrival. Visualization can get your brain thinking about flying as an ordinary, safe thing.

4. Use Distraction Tools

Crossword puzzles, backward counting, reading, or soothing videos can break the worry loop mid-flight.

5. Support System

Travel with a supportive friend and inform them of your triggers. Advance briefing with sympathetic airline personnel can also smooth pre-flight anxiety.

6. Gradual Exposure Therapy

Begin with short flights or utilize flight simulators to rewire gradually, exposing yourself to incrementally longer flights. Safe repetition is shown to decrease sensitivity over time.

7. Professional Assistance is Effective

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Therapy are gold-standard treatments. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Virtual Reality Therapy are increasingly proving to be effective treatments.

"Any psychologist can help the person walk through CBT in order to cope with irrational thoughts," Ms Tayal says. "For tackling these maladaptive thoughts and irrational fears, we do graded exposure, EMDR, or virtual reality. Relaxation training, mindfulness, and grounding are all important too."

Coping Tools to Practice on the Ground

Grounding Techniques: Utilize the 5 senses to remain engaged in the moment.

Mindfulness: Practice non-judgmental attention to your thoughts and bodily sensations.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Release tension to decrease physiological arousal.

Professional Monitoring: When anxiety arises from underlying trauma or generalized anxiety disorder, a psychiatrist may assist in regulating underlying causes.

Can Aerophobia Come Back After Treatment?

Yes—but long-term results are promising. Research indicates that individuals treated with CBT tend to sustain outcomes for three years or longer. Occasional therapy "booster shots" or regular practice of coping techniques can ward off relapse.

How to Prevent and Manage Aerophobia?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent aerophobia, but there are some habits of daily living that can definitely minimize its effect. Steering clear of such stimulants as alcohol or caffeine prior to a flight will keep anxiety under control. Open discussion of your apprehension with intimate family members, friends, or a support group is also crucial, as it helps lessen the emotional load. Shying away from solitary confinement is equally crucial—sharing space with people who are going through the same thing can provide reassurance and confirmation. Finally, remaining attuned to your own mental health and being proactive in seeking assistance early, particularly if symptoms persist or intensify, can make a tangible difference in dealing with flight-related anxiety.

Flight anxiety exists, and tragedies such as the Air India crash can be daunting but you are not alone, and your fear is not something to be ashamed of. With appropriate tools, techniques, and support, the skies don't have to be so frightening.

Ananda Lewis, celebrated TV host known for her authenticity and warmth, passed away at 52 after a long and brave battle with breast cancer. Once a beloved face on BET’s Teen Summit and MTV’s Total Request Live, she used her platform to engage young audiences with pressing social issues and celebrity interviews that left a mark.

A Powerful Presence on Screen

Lewis first came into the spotlight through BET’s Teen Summit, where she led candid conversations on challenges facing Black youth. Her interviews with figures like Kobe Bryant, Tupac Shakur, and Hillary Clinton earned her critical acclaim, including an NAACP Image Award.

In 1997, she joined MTV, becoming a key voice on MTV Live, Hot Zone, and TRL. Though her move sparked criticism, she remained unapologetic. “Growth is necessary,” she told the Associated Press. “You’ve got to get out there and live your life.”

She later launched The Ananda Lewis Show in 2001, a daytime talk show aimed at real conversations, even if it followed a familiar format. The show lasted one season, but Lewis remained a powerful presence, later joining The Insider as a correspondent.

Breast Cancer Journey That She Shared With The World

In 2020, Lewis revealed that she had been living with stage 3 breast cancer since 2018—later advancing to stage 4. Her diagnosis came after years of ignoring persistent inflammation linked to mastitis from breastfeeding. A lump discovered in her right breast led to a biopsy, confirming it was invasive carcinoma.

Instead of following a conventional medical path, Lewis chose alternative treatments. “I wanted to understand why my body created cancer and how to change the terrain,” she explained. She focused on diet changes, stress management, detoxing, and holistic therapies like high-dose vitamin C, acupuncture, and cryoablation.

A Different Kind of Battle

Lewis moved to Arizona in 2020 for 16 weeks of intensive integrative treatment. Her cancer reduced from stage 3 to 2 and was no longer in her lymph nodes. But the journey wasn’t without hardship—financial struggles and insurance lapses made consistent treatment difficult.

In early 2023, a scan showed the tumor had grown slightly, but it had not spread. She underwent electrical ablation in Mexico, which unfortunately didn’t succeed. By October 2023, a PET scan confirmed the cancer had advanced to stage 4. Still, Lewis continued treatment and saw significant improvement by January 2024.

Lewis was candid about her journey, using her story to raise awareness about early detection and holistic health. “Stage 4 doesn’t mean the end,” she said. “It means I have to do more.”

Her message to women was clear: be proactive. Prioritize mammograms, manage stress, sleep well, and adopt a clean lifestyle. “If I had known what I know now ten years ago, perhaps I wouldn’t have ended up here,” she said.

“I want to look back and say—I did that exactly how I wanted to,” Lewis reflected. Her legacy is one of resilience, wisdom, and an enduring belief in the right to choose one’s own path—even through cancer.