Katie Price has revealed her 22-year-old son Harvey is to begin Ozempic-style weight-loss injections in a bid to save his life as he battles life-threatening obesity.
The TV personality’s eldest son, who weighs 28 stone, will start the treatment after consulting with top doctors.
Harvey, who has Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes constant hunger, is at serious risk of a heart attack due to his weight.
“It’s really, really serious and life-changing for Harvey,” Price told The Sun. “He’s at risk of a heart attack, and because of his condition, he’s not getting any smaller.”
Harvey’s severe weight issues have left him struggling with basic daily activities, according to his mother.
“He can’t put his shoes on without sweating. He can’t walk far because he gets out of breath,” Price explained.
Katie Price is going to put son Harvey on Ozempic
PA
The 46-year-old mother of five has tried numerous approaches to manage her son’s weight, including working with dietitians.
“We’ve tried food, he’s had dietitians, it’s just the way he is,” she said, highlighting the challenges of managing Prader-Willi syndrome.
Harvey also battles several other conditions, including autism, septo-optic dysplasia, ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder.
Despite being an adult, he continues to receive treatment at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Katie Price and son Harvey pictured in 2018
PA
Doctors have recommended Harvey try the weight-loss injections for up to two years as part of his treatment plan.
“The good thing about starting him on the drug is, if it has any effect, you can stop it because you do it weekly,” Price said.
The medical team will carefully monitor Harvey’s progress throughout the treatment.
“They want to try him on it for at least one or two years, which is a long time, but they’ll control what level he needs then up it as they assess it,” Price explained.
Once Harvey loses weight, he may undergo surgery to remove excess skin.
Price has raised Harvey alone since birth after former footballer Dwight Yorke refused involvement with his son.
She has become a prominent campaigner for disability rights and better understanding of additional needs.
In 2018, Price took her campaign to Parliament after Harvey faced severe online abuse, leading to an MP inquiry backed by over 200,000 petition signatures.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
She detailed their journey in the 2021 BBC documentary Harvey and Me.
Last year, Price faced additional challenges when her local authority refused to fund Harvey’s care, claiming he had “no healthcare issues.”
Weight-loss injections have become increasingly common in Britain, with reports suggesting over a million Britons will be using them by October.