Which medication is known to be associated with weight gain in pediatric patients?

• A. Insulin
• B. Metformin
• C. Orlistat
• D. Liraglutide

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that some medications can contribute to weight gain in kids, and insulin is the one most clearly associated with this effect. Insulin promotes how the body uses and stores energy—it helps glucose enter cells and be stored as glycogen or converted to fat. When a child starts or increases insulin therapy, especially if they have insulin resistance or previously had higher glucose loss via urine, the body’s calories are retained more efficiently. This anabolic state and reduced sugar loss mean more energy is stored as fat, leading to weight gain over time.

Metformin tends to be weight-neutral or even promote modest weight loss by reducing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity. Orlistat reduces fat absorption and often leads to weight loss, though it can cause GI side effects. Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, slows gastric emptying and increases satiety, typically resulting in weight loss rather than gain.