JAMA Clinical Reviews WHO Guideline on the Use and Indications of GLP-1 Therapies for the Treatment of Obesity in Adults
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Dec 17, 2025 
Francesca Celletti, a Senior Advisor at WHO focusing on obesity, and Ezekiel Emanuel, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, dive into the WHO's new guidelines on GLP-1 therapies for obesity treatment. They discuss crucial recommendations, the importance of ongoing data, and the gap in long-term understanding. Concerns about side effects, lifestyle interventions, and equitable access are raised. Both emphasize that while medications are essential, solving obesity requires systemic changes and collaboration.
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WHO's Conditional GLP-1 Recommendation
- WHO conditionally recommends GLP-1 therapies for adults with BMI >30 as part of chronic lifelong care.
- WHO also recommends combining GLP-1 therapy with intensive behavioral interventions including diet and structured physical activity.
Why Recommendations Remain Conditional
- The recommendations are conditional due to short trial durations and limited long-term data.
- Most randomized trials are industry-funded, and broader health impacts beyond weight are still uncertain.
Keep Guidelines Living And Updated
- Maintain a living guideline process to update recommendations as new trials report.
- Reconvene regularly so evolving evidence can change guidance appropriately.