Urgent measures to tackle global obesity needed as WHO warns of weight loss jabs shortage

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: “Obesity is a major global health challenge that WHO is committed to addressing by supporting countries and people worldwide to control it, effectively and equitably. Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care.

“While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms.”

The global economic cost of obesity is predicted to reach US$3 trillion (£2.27 trillion) annually by 2030.

The WHO hope their latest recommendations can help efforts to reduce skyrocketing health costs associated with managing the condition and associated health complications.

The new WHO guidance contains two key conditional recommendations:

• GLP-1 therapies may be used by adults, but excluding pregnant women, for the long-term treatment of obesity. While the effectiveness of these therapies in treating obesity and improving metabolic and other outcomes was evident, the recommendation is conditional due to limited data on their long-term efficacy and safety, maintenance and discontinuation, their current costs, inadequate health-system preparedness, and potential equity implications.
• Intensive behavioural interventions, including structured interventions involving healthy diet and physical activity, may be offered to adults living with obesity prescribed GLP-1 therapies. This is based on low-certainty evidence suggesting it may enhance treatment outcomes.

What is obesity?

WHO defines obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher in adults. GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medicines that help lower blood glucose, support weight loss, reduce the risk of heart and kidney complications, and lower the risk of early death in people with type 2 diabetes. The guideline provides recommendations specifically for three agents used in the long-term treatment of obesity in adults: liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide.

A statement from WHO said: “Obesity is not only an individual concern but also a societal challenge that requires multisectoral action. Addressing obesity requires a fundamental reorientation of current approaches to a comprehensive strategy built with three pillars: creating healthier environments through robust population-level policies to promote health and prevent obesity; protecting individuals at high risk of developing obesity and related comorbidities through targeted screening and structured early interventions; and ensuring access to lifelong, person-centred care.

“The guideline emphasises the importance of fair access to GLP-1 therapies and preparing health systems for use of these medicines. Without deliberate policies, access to these therapies could exacerbate existing health disparities. WHO calls for urgent action on manufacturing, affordability, and system readiness to meet global needs.”

While it is anticipated that there will be a rapid expansion in production, GLP-1 therapies are projected to reach fewer than 10% of those who could benefit by 2030.

The WHO guideline calls on the global healthcare community to consider strategies to expand access, such as pooled procurement, tiered pricing, and voluntary licensing among others.

Read the World Health Organization Guideline on the Use and Indications of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Therapies for the Treatment of Obesity in Adults report in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association)

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