Summary of the WHO Guideline on obesity Treatment
This article details the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new guidelines for the treatment of obesity, recognizing it as a significant global health and economic challenge. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
The Problem:
* Obesity is a growing global health crisis, linked to numerous health issues (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers, infectious diseases).
* It carries a massive economic burden, projected to reach US$3 trillion annually by 2030.
The New Guidelines:
The WHO provides two key conditional recommendations:
- GLP-1 Therapies: May be used for long-term obesity treatment in adults (excluding pregnant women). The recommendation is conditional due to limited long-term data, cost, health system preparedness, and potential equity issues.
- Behavioral Interventions: Intensive behavioral interventions (diet & exercise) should be offered alongside GLP-1 therapies to potentially improve outcomes.
Important Considerations:
* Medication is not a sole solution: The WHO stresses that obesity is a societal problem requiring a multi-faceted approach.
* Three Pillars for Addressing Obesity:
* Healthier Environments: population-level policies promoting health and preventing obesity.
* Early Intervention: Screening and interventions for those at high risk.
* Person-Centred Care: Lifelong, individualized care.
* Access & Equity: Fair access to GLP-1 therapies is crucial. without deliberate policies, existing health disparities could worsen. Strategies like pooled procurement, tiered pricing, and voluntary licensing are needed.
* limited Reach: Even with increased production, GLP-1 therapies are projected to reach fewer than 10% of those who could benefit by 2030.
* Quality Control: The surge in demand has led to an increase in falsified and substandard GLP-1 products, posing a risk to patient safety.
WHO’s Action Plan:
* Developed the guideline in response to Member State requests.
* The guideline is part of the WHO acceleration plan to stop obesity and will be updated as new evidence emerges.
* WHO will work on developing a prioritization framework in 2026 to ensure those with the greatest need are reached first.
Definition:
* Obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher in adults.
* The guideline focuses on three GLP-1 agents: liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide.
