NEW DELHI, India– Obesity continues to rise worldwide and contributes to millions of preventable deaths each year, but medications such as GLP-1 therapies cannot, on their own, resolve a crisis affecting more than one billion people, the World Health Organization said Monday in a new report.
WHO defines obesity in adults as a Body Mass Index of 30 or higher and recognizes it as a chronic, relapsing disease. The organization has approved several GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity treatment. These medicines help lower blood sugar, promote weight loss, reduce cardiovascular and kidney risks, and may lower early-death rates in people with type 2 diabetes.
However, soaring global demand has also led to the spread of falsified and substandard GLP-1 products, posing serious risks to patient safety and public trust.
To address concerns around safe and effective use, WHO released its first guideline on GLP-1 therapies, offering recommendations for three long-term obesity treatments: liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide. The guidance includes conditional recommendations for adults living with obesity, emphasizing that these medicines should be used only as part of a broader, long-term care strategy that incorporates healthier diets, regular physical activity, and professional medical 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 recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms.”
Obesity is a key driver of noncommunicable diseases including cardiovascular conditions, type 2 diabetes, and several forms of cancer. It also worsens outcomes for infectious diseases, while the global economic toll is projected to reach $3 trillion annually by 2030.
WHO said the new guidelines are intended to help health systems reduce the rising costs associated with obesity and its complications. The guidance stresses that GLP-1 therapies may be used for long-term treatment in adults, excluding pregnant women, and must be paired with intensive behavioral interventions involving structured dietary and physical-activity plans.
The report also underscores that obesity is not merely an individual issue but a societal challenge requiring coordinated, multisectoral action. Recommendations include creating healthier environments through strong public-health policies, improving early screening and interventions for high-risk groups, and ensuring access to lifelong, person-centred care.
Another priority highlighted in the guideline is equitable access. Without deliberate policy efforts, WHO warns, availability of GLP-1 medicines could deepen existing health disparities.
“Even with rapid expansion in production, GLP-1 therapies are projected to reach fewer than 10 per cent of those who could benefit by 2030. The guideline calls on the global community to consider strategies to expand access, such as pooled procurement, tiered pricing, and voluntary licensing,” the report said. (Source: IANS)
