WHO GLP-1 Guideline in Treating Obesity

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A new WHO guideline on GLP-1 weight loss medicines

New weight-loss medications, known as GLP-1 therapies, have dominated headlines and public conversation for their remarkable effectiveness. Cutting through the noise, the World Health Organization (WHO) has now published its first-ever global guidance on the use of these medicines for treating obesity, released on 1 December. The guideline focuses specifically on three widely-discussed agents: liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide. 

Now, for the first time, we have a global position on how these medicines should be used safely and responsibly in a crisis affecting over 1 billion people and is associated with 3.7 million deaths globally in 2024. But beyond the simple green light many expected, the WHO's official position contains several surprising and crucial takeaways that reframe the conversation around these powerful new treatments. WHO global guideline on the use of GLP-1 medicines in treating obesity.

It's a "Conditional" Green Light, Not a Blank Check

The WHO does recommend GLP-1 therapies for adults with obesity, but this recommendation is explicitly conditional, reflecting concerns about long-term safety, cost, health-system readiness, and the risk of widening health inequalities. The WHO has put the brakes on unconditional enthusiasm for several key reasons:

• A need for further data on their long term use in obesity treatment.

• Their high cost.

• Inadequate health-system preparedness to manage their rollout.

• Potential equity implications, meaning they could worsen health disparities.

This conditional stance reveals the WHO's deep-seated concern that a clinically effective drug could fail its public health mission if it shatters health equity and budgets.

Medication Alone Is Not the Answer

The guideline explicitly states that these medicines will not solve the global obesity crisis on their own. This point was underscored by the WHO Director-General.

"While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms.” - Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

Instead, the WHO envisions a "comprehensive strategy" built on three essential pillars:

• Creating healthier environments through robust population-level policies.

• Protecting high-risk individuals with targeted screening and early intervention.

• Ensuring access to lifelong, person-centered care.

The guideline also notes that "intensive behavioural interventions," such as weight-loss programmes with a structured diet and physical activity, may be offered alongside the medications to enhance treatment outcomes.

A Massive Equity Crisis Is Looming

The WHO projects a stark and troubling future for access. Even with a rapid expansion in production, GLP-1 therapies are expected to reach fewer than 10% of the people who could benefit from them by 2030.

The organization is deeply concerned that without deliberate, proactive policies, these expensive therapies could "exacerbate existing health disparities," making effective treatment available only to the wealthy. The WHO sharpens this concern in its projections for access, and to combat this, calls on the global community to consider strategies to expand access, including pooled procurement, tiered pricing, and voluntary licensing.

It's a Disease, Not Just a Lifestyle Choice

In a significant policy shift, the guideline explicitly defines obesity as a "chronic, relapsing disease" that requires "comprehensive and lifelong care." This reclassification is critical because it shifts the responsibility from the individual to the healthcare system, demanding insurance coverage, long-term care models, and a reduction in social stigma. 

“Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care.” - This message anchors the guideline: medication is only one part of a much wider care model.

The Rise of Fakes Poses a Serious Threat

The intense global demand for these drugs has created a dangerous secondary market. The WHO warns that the spread of "falsified and substandard products" is on the rise, creating a situation that threatens patient safety and undermines public trust in legitimate treatments.

To ensure quality and safety, the WHO recommends a multi-pronged approach: regulated distribution, prescription only from qualified health care providers, strong government oversight, patient education, and global cooperation to protect public health.

A New Tool, But Not a Simple Fix

GLP-1 therapies mark a major advancement in obesity treatment, but their impact will depend on how well healthcare systems adopt and support them. The WHO's message is clear: treating a chronic disease requires more than a prescription pad; it demands a sustainable, equitable, and comprehensive system of care that does not yet exist on a global scale.

As medical science provides powerful new tools to treat chronic diseases, how can we ensure they benefit all of humanity, not just a select few?

Credits: “WHO / Alasdair Bell Arlene (left) takes every opportunity to include her mother in her walks along the beach. Living in the fishing village of Belle Garden, Tobago, they take full advantage of the location to relax and exercise.”

How Beyondbmi’s weight loss programme aligns with WHO guidance

At Beyondbmi, our doctor-led weight loss programme already follows the model recommended by the WHO, embedding GLP-1 treatment within a structured, long-term care pathway. 

• Doctor-led GLP-1 prescribing
  Our clinicians assess each person’s medical history, current medications and risk factors before considering GLP-1 treatment, and review progress regularly to adjust doses or explore alternative treatment options. Our programme.

• Integrated behavioural and psychological support
  GLP-1 treatment is paired with nutrition therapy, health coaching and psychological support to help members build sustainable habits, protect muscle mass, and address emotional and behavioural drivers of eating. Treatment Options.

• Continuous monitoring and education
  Members receive education on side effects, dose titration and what to expect over time, 

alongside regular tracking of weight, metabolic markers and quality-of-life outcomes. Questions around eligibility, safety and practicalities are addressed in detail in our FAQ section.

Considering GLP-1 weight loss treatment?

WHO’s new guideline confirms what obesity specialists have long recognised: obesity is a medical condition that deserves evidence-based, long-term treatment, not blame or short-term fixes. GLP-1 therapies, when used within a structured, medically supervised weight loss programme, can be a safe and effective option for many adults living with obesity.

if you'd like to understand whether a medically supervised GLP-1 programme could be right for you, you can:

• Visit Our Programme to see how Beyondbmi works end-to-end.

• Explore Treatment Options to understand the different medical approaches available

• Read our FAQ for detailed answers on eligibility, safety and what to expect

When you’re ready, we invite you to complete our short online survey or get in touch with our clinical team. This helps us understand your medical history and goals, and to advise whether GLP-1 treatment, or another evidence-based option, is the safest next step for your health.