The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first guidelines on using a new generation of appetite‑suppressing drugs, known as GLP‑1 agonists, to treat obesity in adults. These medications—including blockbuster brands Ozempic and Mounjaro—have grown increasingly popular in recent years. In 2022, more than 3.7 million people died from illnesses related to overweight or obesity, a figure that surpasses the combined deaths from the leading infectious killers malaria, tuberculosis and HIV.
The guidelines recommend GLP‑1 therapies for the long‑term treatment of obesity in adults, with the exception of pregnant women. While the effectiveness of these drugs in reducing weight is clear, the WHO notes that more data are needed on their efficacy and safety over longer periods. The organization stresses that medication alone will not reverse the obesity trend, which is a complex, chronic disease and a major driver of non‑communicable conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type‑2 diabetes and certain cancers.
To improve outcomes, the WHO suggests coupling GLP‑1 therapy with intensive behavioural interventions that promote a healthy diet and physical activity. It also emphasizes the importance of creating healthier environments through robust population‑level policies, targeted screening of high‑risk individuals, and ensuring access to lifelong, person‑centred care.
The global economic cost of obesity is projected to reach $3 trillion annually by the end of this decade, making urgent action essential. The WHO warns that if the obesity epidemic’s trajectory is not altered, pressure on health systems will become untenable. High prices of GLP‑1 drugs have raised concerns about their availability in poorer nations, where they could save the most lives. To address this, the WHO added GLP‑1s to its list of essential medicines and called for affordable generic versions to be made available in developing countries.
Overall, the WHO’s guidelines highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to treating obesity—integrating medication, lifestyle changes, and policy interventions. By changing the epidemiological trajectory of obesity, countries can reduce the burden of non‑communicable diseases and mitigate associated economic costs. The organization’s efforts to promote access to GLP‑1 therapies and other essential medicines aim to reduce health inequity and ensure that innovations in treating non‑communicable diseases are accessible to all.
Comments are closed for this story.