According to a report by the Latin American News Agency on December 1, the World Health Organization issued the first guideline on the use of novel weight loss drugs on the 1st, focusing on glucagon-like peptide-1 therapy initially used to treat diabetes. The guide was prepared at the request of member states and is based on scientific evidence, expert reviews, and opinions of people with obesity. The guidelines focus on GLP-1 therapy and make recommendations on how to use it safely for long-term treatment. According to WHO data, more than 1 billion people worldwide are obese, and 3.7 million people died as a result of this condition in 2024. Experts predict that without stronger measures, the number of people affected could double by 2030. WHO Director-General Tedros Tedros believes that obesity is a major global health issue. “Our new guidelines state that obesity is a chronic condition that can be treated with comprehensive, lifelong care,” he said. “Although medicine alone cannot solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapy can help many patients overcome obesity or mitigate its adverse effects.” GLP-1 therapy works by simulating a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, blood sugar, and digestion. These medications can significantly contribute to weight loss and improve the health of people with obesity. The WHO added this treatment to the “Essential Medicines Standard List” in 2025 for the control of type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups. Its new guidelines now also suggest that adults with obesity can use this therapy for a long time except during pregnancy.

According to a report by the Latin American News Agency on December 1, the World Health Organization issued the first guideline on the use of novel weight loss drugs on the 1st, focusing on glucagon-like peptide-1 therapy initially used to treat diabetes. The guide was prepared at the request of member states and is based on scientific evidence, expert reviews, and opinions of people with obesity. The guidelines focus on GLP-1 therapy and make recommendations on how to use it safely for long-term treatment. According to WHO data, more than 1 billion people worldwide are obese, and 3.7 million people died as a result of this condition in 2024. Experts predict that without stronger measures, the number of people affected could double by 2030. WHO Director-General Tedros Tedros believes that obesity is a major global health issue. “Our new guidelines state that obesity is a chronic condition that can be treated with comprehensive, lifelong care,” he said. “Although medicine alone cannot solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapy can help many patients overcome obesity or mitigate its adverse effects.” GLP-1 therapy works by simulating a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, blood sugar, and digestion. These medications can significantly contribute to weight loss and improve the health of people with obesity. The WHO added this treatment to the “Essential Medicines Standard List” in 2025 for the control of type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups. Its new guidelines now also suggest that adults with obesity can use this therapy for a long time except during pregnancy.