WHO Issues First Global Guideline on GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity Treatment

WHO Issues First Global Guideline on GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity Treatment

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released its first-ever guideline on the use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies for treating obesity, a condition affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide.

Announcing the development on its official X handle on Tuesday, the global health body cautioned that medication alone cannot solve obesity, stressing that drugs must complement healthy diets, regular physical activity, and sustained medical support.

The WHO noted that obesity—responsible for 3.7 million global deaths in 2024—remains a growing crisis, with projections indicating the number of affected individuals could double by 2030 if urgent action is not taken.

According to the organisation, obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above in adults. It is a complex, chronic disease linked to major noncommunicable diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, several cancers, and increased complications from infectious diseases.

The new guideline focuses on GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medicines that lower blood sugar, promote weight loss, and reduce risks of heart and kidney complications. These drugs were added to the WHO Essential Medicines List in September 2025 for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk patients.

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WHO explained that its conditional recommendations for GLP-1 therapies aim to support adults living with obesity as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, emphasizing the need for behavioral interventions such as healthy eating and consistent physical activity.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said obesity remains a worldwide health threat requiring sustained and equitable care.
“Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care. While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce related harms,” he said.

Ghebreyesus also warned that the global economic cost of obesity could reach US$3 trillion annually by 2030, adding that the guideline aims to reduce soaring healthcare costs tied to obesity-related complications.

The key recommendations state that GLP-1 therapies may be used for long-term obesity treatment in adults, excluding pregnant women, and must be combined with intensive lifestyle interventions.

The WHO flagged concerns over limited long-term safety data, high drug costs, weak health-system capacity, and the risk of widening health inequalities, stressing that without targeted policies, access to GLP-1 therapies may deepen existing disparities.

It called for a comprehensive obesity strategy built on three pillars:
– Creating healthier environments through strong public policies
– Protecting high-risk individuals through early screening and intervention
– Ensuring equitable access to lifelong, person-centred obesity care

The organisation urged countries to ensure fair access to GLP-1 therapies, strengthen health systems ahead of their broader use, and adopt holistic measures to combat the escalating obesity crisis.

WHO Issues First Global Guideline on GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity Treatment