The World Health Organization supports the safe use of weight loss medications: Obesity is a chronic disease

The guidelines focus on weight-loss drugs (glucagon-like peptide) and provide conditional recommendations on how to use them safely as part of long-term treatment.

Living with obesity

More than a billion people around the world suffer from obesity, which is linked to 3.7 million deaths in 2024.

The World Health Organization warns that without more aggressive action, the number of people affected by obesity could double by 2030, putting enormous pressure on health systems and pushing global economic losses to an estimated $3 trillion annually.

As the world’s leading public health body, the WHO statement is expected to influence national policies, insurance coverage and medical practices, particularly as demand for effective weight-loss treatments continues to grow.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said that obesity “It represents a major global health challenge. Our new guidelines recognize that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive, lifelong care. “While drugs alone will not solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms.”

Complex disease

The World Health Organization emphasizes that obesity is not simply a result of lifestyle choices, but rather a complex and chronic condition that includes genetic, environmental, biological and social factors.

Obesity is a leading cause of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers, and can worsen the outcomes of infectious diseases. For many, losing weight and keeping it off is extremely challenging without medical support.

GLP-1 treatments mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, blood sugar, and digestion. For people with obesity, these medications can lead to significant weight loss and improve their health.

The World Health Organization added these medicines to its list of essential medicines in 2025 to manage type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups, and its new guidelines now recommend their long-term use for adults with obesity, except during pregnancy.

This recommendation is conditional given limited long-term safety data, uncertainty about maintenance of weight loss after treatment has stopped, high costs, and significant concerns about unequal access between countries.

It is not a single solution

The World Health Organization emphasizes the need to use weight loss medications in conjunction with other means of support.

The most effective treatment combines medications, healthy diets, increased physical activity, and long-term guidance from health professionals.

The organization stresses that obesity cannot be confronted and solved by individuals alone, but rather requires broad action from governments and industry to create healthier food environments and ensure early intervention for people at risk.

Ensure access and safety

Demand for GLP-1 drugs far exceeds supply. Even with increased production, the World Health Organization estimates that less than 10% of eligible people will have access to treatment by 2030.

She warns that in the absence of thoughtful policies, these treatments may exacerbate existing health inequalities. The organization urges governments to consider tools such as fair pricing and voluntary licensing to expand access to treatment.

It also warns of the increasing circulation of counterfeit or substandard GLP-1 products, as a result of the global shortage. It stresses the need for regulated supply chains, qualified prescriptions, and strict oversight to protect patients.

These guidelines were developed at the request of Member States and are based on scientific evidence, expert reviews and input from people with obesity.

WHO plans to update the recommendations as new evidence emerges, and will work with its partners in 2026 to ensure those with the most urgent needs are prioritized.