JAMA

WHO issues first global guidelines on GLP-1 therapies for obesity treatment

December 3, 2025

WHO conditionally recommends long-term use of GLP-1 therapies (≥ 6 months) for adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), excluding pregnancy, and treats liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide as a therapeutic class. The guideline underscores pairing pharmacotherapy with intensive behavioral therapy—structured exercise and diet goals, weekly counseling, and routine progress assessments—to maximize and sustain benefits. Both recommendations received conditional grading due to limited long-term safety data, high costs, health system readiness concerns, and equity implications, despite strong evidence of effectiveness. WHO stresses that medication alone cannot solve the obesity burden; countries must build integrated care ecosystems alongside population-level prevention policies. Development followed rigorous GRADE methodology with input from multidisciplinary experts and individuals with lived experience.

Source:

Celletti F, et al. (2025, December 1). JAMA. World Health Organization Guideline on the Use and Indications of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Therapies for the Treatment of Obesity in Adults. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41324410/