The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first recommendation on the use of GLP-1 therapies to treat obesity. It marks a significant step in global health efforts to address a chronic and relapsing disease. Global obesity estimates are typically in the hundreds of millions and contributed to 3.7 million deaths in 2024. The global number of people living with obesity is expected to double by 2030 without decisive and coordinated intervention. The economic cost linked with obesity involves healthcare, lost productivity, and related complications, and is projected to reach US$3 trillion annually by the end of the decade. WHO’s guidelines aim to help countries integrate GLP-1 therapies in a broader, equitable manner for prevention and treatment.
GLP-1 receptor agonists, which involve liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide, are a class of medications that support weight loss, lower blood sugar, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications. WHO added these therapies to the Essential Medicines List to manage type 2 diabetes in certain high-risk groups in 2025. WHO gives two conditional recommendations with the new guideline. Adults who exclude pregnant women may use GLP-1 therapies for long-term treatment of obesity. Evidence shows these medications effectively promote weight loss and improve metabolic outcomes. The recommendations are conditional because long-term safety data are limited, and costs remain high in many countries, and health systems face major challenges to scale up access. WHO warns that without deliberate policy, widespread usage of these medications could deepen the existing inequities in healthcare access.
The second recommendation states that intensive behavioural interventions like structured programs focusing on balanced diets and physical activity may be offered along with GLP-1 therapy for adults with obesity. Evidence supporting this combination is currently low in certainty. It suggests that behavioural support can increase overall treatment results. WHO cautions that medication alone cannot solve the global obesity crisis. Obesity is influenced by the interplay of biology, social environment, food system, and economic conditions. It contributes to the main noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, specific cancers, and poorer outcomes from infectious diseases.
WHO recommends a comprehensive multisectoral approach based on three essential pillars to prevent obesity effectively. The 1st pillar involves creating healthier environments by robust population-level policy, like regulating food marketing, implementing taxes on unhealthy products, improving access to nutritious foods, and promoting physical activity through urban design. The 2nd pillar focuses on identifying and supporting individuals at high risk of obesity or obesity related complications by early screening and targeted interventions. The 3rd pillar supports lifelong, person-centred care for people living with obesity and recognizes it as a chronic condition that needs sustained management instead of short-term solutions.
The main concern is the limited global supply of GLP-1 medications. Less than 10% individuals who could benefit from these medications are expected to have access by 2030, even with rapid production. WHO encourages countries and stakeholders to consider strategies like pooled procurement, a scaled pricing model, and voluntary licensing agreements to increase affordability and availability. Global demand has increased in falsified and substandard GLP-1 products posing severe risks to patient safety. WHO calls for strong regulatory oversight, proper prescribing practices, public education, and international cooperation.
The guideline was developed by an extensive review of available evidence and consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience of obesity. It forms a core component of the WHO’s acceleration plan to stop the global obesity epidemic and will be updated as new research emerges. WHO plans to work with global partners to create a transparent and equitable prioritization framework to ensure that those with the greatest medical need receive access to effective treatments first. WHO seeks to support countries to deliver sustainable, equitable, and effective obesity care worldwide.
Reference: World Health Organization. WHO issues global guideline on the use of GLP-1 medicines in treating obesity. December 1, 2025. Accessed December 3, 2025. WHO issues global guideline on the use of GLP-1 medicines in treating obesity
