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WHO Endorses Long-Term GLP-1 Use for Obesity, Calls for Equitable Access
Washington D.C. – The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidance recommending the long-term, continuous use of GLP-1 medications for adults with obesity, provided it is clinically appropriate. This landmark recommendation, released Monday and published in the medical journal JAMA, covers popular medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda), and tirzepatide (Zepbound).
While endorsing these medications, the WHO stressed that they are not a standalone solution to the global obesity epidemic. Instead, obesity is characterized as a chronic disease requiring lifelong care, best managed through long-term GLP-1 use in conjunction with a comprehensive program. This program should include healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and ongoing counseling to achieve and maintain weight loss.
Dr. Louis Arrone, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, highlighted the significance of this shift, telling ABC News, “It signals that treating obesity early — as a chronic disease that deserves lifelong care — is finally moving into the mainstream of health care.”
The guidance also brings to light significant challenges, including the high cost of these medications, limited global supply, and uneven access. The WHO has urged countries to establish fair and affordable pathways to ensure that individuals with the highest medical need receive treatment first. The organization emphasized that these medications must be chosen and administered within the right context and conditions.
According to Dr. Arrone, who has led numerous clinical studies on GLP-1 medications, these medicines often make it easier for patients to adhere to dietary recommendations by reducing hunger and making food feel more neutral.
Many patients report being able to stick to healthier eating patterns because they feel full sooner and no longer experience strong cravings for certain foods. He also underscored the importance of incorporating resistance training to preserve muscle mass during weight loss, as muscle loss is more common with rapid weight reduction and very low caloric intake.
“Medicines work best when they go hand in hand with changes in eating habits and daily behaviors,” Dr. Arrone stated. “When hunger is reduced, people finally feel able to follow the healthy steps they were told to take for years.”
Globally, over 1 billion people are currently living with obesity, a figure projected to nearly double to 2 billion by 2030. The WHO plans for future guidelines to focus on identifying and prioritizing individuals with the greatest need for treatment.
Furthermore, the WHO recommended that member countries “reboot” their approaches to obesity care, focusing on improving prevention, treatment, and systemic capacity to address this rapidly escalating public health crisis.
“This signals a shift in thinking unlike anything we’ve seen in a generation – a move toward treating obesity first, rather than waiting for people to develop the many complications that follow,” Dr. Arrone concluded.