The guidance focuses on GLP-1 treatments – drugs such as liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatid – and provides conditional recommendations on how they can be used safely as part of long-term treatment.
Living with obesity
More than one billion people worldwide live with obesity, which was associated with 3.7 million deaths by 2024.
Without stronger action, the WHO warns that the number of people affected could double by 2030putting enormous pressure on healthcare systems and pushing global economic losses to an estimated $3 trillion a year.
As the world’s leading public health authority, WHO’s statement is expected to influence national policies, insurance coverage and clinical practice, particularly as demand for effective weight loss treatments continues to increase.
“Obesity is a major global health challenge,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care. Although medicine alone will not solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its related harms.”
A complex disease
WHO emphasizes that obesity is not simply a result of lifestyle choices, but a complex, chronic condition involving genetics, environment, biology and social conditions.
It is a major cause of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers and can also worsen outcomes for infectious diseases. For many people, losing weight and keeping it off without medical help is extremely challenging.
GLP-1 therapies work by mimicking a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, blood sugar and digestion.
For people with obesity, these drugs can lead to significant weight loss and health improvements.
The WHO added them to its list of essential medicines in 2025 for the management of type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups, and its new guidelines now recommend their long-term use in adults living with obesity, except during pregnancy.
The recommendation is conditional due to limited long-term safety data, uncertainty about maintenance of weight loss when treatment stops, high cost and significant concerns about unequal access across countries.
Not a standalone solution
WHO emphasizes that weight loss medicine must be used in conjunction with other support.
The most effective treatment combines medication with healthier diets, increased physical activity and long-term guidance from health professionals.
The organization highlights that obesity cannot be solved by individuals alone and calls for broad action by governments and industry to create healthier food environments and ensure early intervention for those at risk.
Ensuring access and security
The demand for GLP-1 drugs already far exceeds the supply. Even with increased production, the WHO estimates that fewer than 10 percent of eligible people will have access by 2030.
It warns that without conscious policies, these treatments could widen existing health inequalities. The organization urges governments to consider tools such as pooled procurement, fair pricing and voluntary licensing to expand access.
WHO also warns of increasing circulation of counterfeit or substandard GLP-1 products driven by global scarcity. It emphasizes the need for regulated supply chains, qualified prescribing and strong oversight to protect patients.
The guidance was developed at the request of Member States and drew on scientific evidence, expert review and input from people living with obesity.
WHO plans to update the recommendations as new evidence emerges and will work with partners in 2026 to ensure those with the most urgent needs are prioritized.
