The World Health Organization (WHO) has, for the first time, recommended the use of weight-loss drugs in treating obesity, underscoring a shift in how the condition is defined and managed globally.
According to The Economic Times, WHO’s draft guidelines propose that GLP-1 receptor agonists - medicines initially developed to manage type 2 diabetes and now widely used for weight reduction - be integrated into obesity care for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. These recommendations, open for public consultation until September 27, mark a significant step toward formalizing obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease requiring structured medical intervention.
The draft guidelines emphasize that obesity should no longer be viewed primarily as a lifestyle-related issue but rather as a complex condition linked to over 1 billion people worldwide. WHO’s expert committee highlighted that obesity contributes to millions of preventable deaths annually, affecting both high- and low-income countries. Alongside pharmacological treatment, the recommendations stress the continued role of behavioural counselling and lifestyle interventions.
In some high-income nations, including the United States, clinical practice already extends use of these drugs to patients with a BMI of 27–30 who also have weight-related conditions such as hypertension or cardiovascular risk. WHO, however, has limited its adult recommendations to those with a BMI over 30, while signalling that guidance for children and adolescents is still under development.
Earlier this year, the agency stopped short of adding GLP-1 weight-loss drugs to its essential medicines list, citing affordability concerns. It did approve their use for type 2 diabetes patients with co-morbidities, reflecting the original therapeutic purpose of these agents. The high cost of treatment remains a major barrier in low- and middle-income countries, where access to these medicines is limited despite rising obesity prevalence.
For healthcare providers, insurers, and policymakers, WHO’s position sets a potential precedent for reclassifying obesity within national treatment frameworks. The move is expected to influence clinical guidelines, reimbursement policies, and pharmaceutical investment strategies, particularly as competition intensifies between manufacturers like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
As obesity continues to rise across geographies, the inclusion of pharmacotherapy within global care standards signals a growing recognition that lifestyle modification alone may not be sufficient to curb the public health burden. The challenge ahead lies in ensuring equitable access to these therapies while managing their financial implications for health systems worldwide.
