The World Health Organization on Monday recommended GLP-1 drugs as part of a treatment strategy for obesity in adults, signaling a major shift in the agency’s approach to managing the condition. The new guidelines emphasize that these medications should be combined with counseling on diet and physical activity, rather than relying on lifestyle changes alone. Previously, WHO guidance focused almost exclusively on non-medical approaches.
Published in the journal JAMA, the guidelines define long-term use as six months or more and note that while GLP-1 therapies represent a scientific advance, medication alone cannot solve the global obesity crisis. The drugs, formally known as GLP-1 agonists, reduce appetite by mimicking a hormone that signals fullness to the brain. Popularized in recent years, these medications have been linked to weight loss and reduced risk of obesity-related conditions like high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. WHO’s recommendation is conditional, noting the need for more long-term safety data and lower costs to improve accessibility, especially given U.S. list prices for leading drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy exceed $1,000 per month.