The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever clinical guideline recommending the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity in adults. The landmark guidance reflects a growing recognition of obesity as a chronic, complex disease requiring comprehensive and long-term management rather than short-term weight loss interventions.

A Growing Global Health Crisis

Obesity has become one of the most pressing public health challenges worldwide. According to WHO estimates, more than 1 billion people globally are currently living with obesity, a figure projected to double by 2030 if current trends continue. The condition significantly increases the risk of noncommunicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

WHO defines obesity in adults aged 19 years and older as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, emphasizing that BMI is a population-level screening tool rather than a standalone diagnostic measure.

GLP-1 Therapies Enter WHO Guidance

The new guideline formally acknowledges the role of GLP-1 receptor agonists—a class of medications originally developed for type 2 diabetes—in obesity management. These drugs work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which regulates appetite, slows gastric emptying, and enhances feelings of satiety, leading to reduced caloric intake and sustained weight loss.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that GLP-1 therapies can produce clinically meaningful and durable weight reduction, particularly when combined with lifestyle interventions such as dietary modification and physical activity.

Obesity Recognized as a Chronic Disease

A central theme of the guideline is WHO’s explicit recognition of obesity as a chronic disease rather than a lifestyle choice or short-term condition. The organization stresses that effective obesity care must be:

• Comprehensive, integrating behavioral, nutritional, pharmacologic, and, when appropriate, surgical approaches

• Individualized, accounting for comorbidities, social determinants of health, and patient preferences

• Lifelong, with ongoing monitoring and support to prevent weight regain

This framing represents a shift away from episodic treatment models toward sustained, patient-centered care.

Equity, Access, and Implementation Challenges

While endorsing GLP-1 therapies, WHO also highlights significant challenges related to cost, access, and equity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The guideline emphasizes that medications should not replace foundational public health strategies, including healthy food environments, physical activity promotion, and prevention-focused policies.

WHO calls for governments, health systems, and global partners to work toward:

• Improving affordability and availability of obesity medications

• Ensuring ethical and evidence-based prescribing

• Integrating pharmacotherapy into primary care and chronic disease management systems

Implications for Clinical Practice

For clinicians, the guidance provides international validation for the use of GLP-1 therapies in appropriate patients with obesity. It also reinforces the importance of framing treatment conversations around long-term disease management, rather than short-term weight loss goals.

The guideline encourages healthcare providers to engage patients in shared decision-making, balancing potential benefits, side effects, and the need for sustained treatment adherence.

Conclusion

WHO’s first guideline on GLP-1 therapies marks a significant milestone in global obesity care. By recognizing obesity as a chronic disease and endorsing evidence-based pharmacologic treatment as part of lifelong management, the organization signals a shift toward more comprehensive, compassionate, and scientifically grounded approaches to one of the world’s fastest-growing health crises.

As obesity rates continue to rise, the guidance underscores the urgent need for integrated strategies that combine medical treatment, public health policy, and long-term support to improve outcomes worldwide.