GENEVA, Switzerland– The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released its inaugural official guideline on the use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) medicines for treating obesity in a landmark move to confront a worsening worldwide health crisis,
This is a condition that it formally recognises as a chronic and relapsing disease. This decision targets a condition affecting over 1 billion individuals globally.
Obesity which knows no national boundaries, was linked to an estimated 3.7 million deaths in 2024. If current trends persist without decisive intervention, global projections indicate the number of people living with obesity could double by the year 2030.
The WHO defines obesity in adults as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medication that aid in lowering blood sugar.
It supports weight loss, reduces the risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications, and lowers the risk of premature death in people with type 2 diabetes.
This new guidance builds upon a significant prior step taken in September 2025, when the WHO added GLP-1 therapies to its Model List of Essential Medicines for the management of type 2 diabetes in high-risk populations.
The latest document provides conditional recommendations for utilizing these same therapies specifically to aid individuals with obesity, emphasizing that they must be part of a comprehensive care plan inclusive of a healthy diet, consistent physical activity, and professional health support.
“Obesity is a major global health challenge that WHO is committed to addressing by supporting countries and people worldwide to control it, effectively and equitably. Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
He further clarified, “While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms.”
The WHO classifies obesity as a complex, chronic condition that serves as a primary risk factor for noncommunicable diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. It also leads to worse health outcomes for individuals who contract infectious diseases.
The economic burden is equally staggering, with the global cost of obesity forecasted to hit US$3 trillion annually by 2030. These guidelines aim to assist in curbing the soaring healthcare expenses linked to managing obesity and its numerous complications.
The newly published WHO guideline centers on two key conditional recommendations: For Treatment and Supportive Cares.
GLP-1 therapies may be used by adults, excluding those who are pregnant, for the long-term management of obesity. This recommendation is classified as conditional due to several factors, including limited data on long-term efficacy and safety.
Other questions concern maintenance after discontinuation, the current high costs of the drugs, the insufficient preparedness of many health systems, and potential equity concerns, despite clear evidence of their efficacy for weight loss and metabolic improvement.
Intensive behavioural interventions, which include structured programs focusing on healthy nutrition and physical activity, may be offered to adults with obesity who are prescribed GLP-1 therapies. This suggestion is based on low-certainty evidence indicating that such support may improve overall treatment outcomes
While acknowledging that GLP-1 therapies represent the first highly efficacious pharmaceutical option for adults with obesity, the WHO guideline strongly underscores that these medicines alone will not reverse the global obesity epidemic. The organization frames obesity not merely as an individual issue but as a societal challenge demanding coordinated action across multiple sectors.
A fundamental reorientation of approach is needed, built on three core pillars: creating healthier environments through robust population-level policies; protecting high-risk individuals via targeted screening and early intervention; and ensuring access to lifelong, person-centered healthcare.
The guideline heavily emphasises the imperative of equitable access and systemic preparation. It warns that without deliberate and fair policies, access to these potent therapies could worsen existing health inequalities. The WHO is calling for urgent international action on manufacturing scale-up, affordability mechanisms, and health system readiness to meet overwhelming global demand.
Current production projections are sobering; even with rapid expansion, GLP-1 therapies are expected to reach fewer than 10% of those who could benefit by 2030. To bridge this gap, the guideline urges the global community to explore strategies like pooled procurement, tiered pricing models, and voluntary licensing agreements.
The WHO developed this guideline in direct response to requests from member states grappling with the obesity challenge. The development process involved a thorough analysis of available scientific evidence and consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including people with lived experience of obesity.
This document is a key deliverable under the WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity and will be updated regularly as new research emerges. Throughout 2026, the WHO plans to collaborate with stakeholders to create a transparent and equitable framework that prioritises access, ensuring those with the greatest medical need are reached first.
This guideline provides recommendations specifically for three agents approved for long-term obesity treatment in adults: liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide
The guideline concludes with a critical warning on patient safety. The massive global demand for GLP-1 therapies has spurred a dangerous market of falsified and substandard products, threatening patient health and eroding trust.
Ensuring safety requires that these medicines be obtained through regulated distribution channels with a prescription from a qualified healthcare provider.
“This should be bolstered by strong regulatory oversight, comprehensive patient education, and international cooperation to safeguard public health.”
Photo courtesy of World Health Expo
