The World Health Organization(WHO) backs jabs to treat obesity for first time with attaching conditionality.
WHO also recognized obesity, which affected billions people around the world as “chronic disease.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the new guidance “recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care”.
While he said medication can’t solve obesity on its own, the jabs could help millions overcome it – and reduce its associated harms.
According to the health agency, more than one billion people around the world are affected by obesity. By 2030, it says that figure will rise to two billion.
Weight-loss injections – officially known as GLP-1 therapies – work by mimicking a hormone and increasing insulin release to control blood sugars and reduce appetite.
The first recommendation guidance advises the use of the drugs by adults, except pregnant women, for long-term obesity treatment.
The second suggests interventions like a healthy diet and physical activity should be offered alongside the medicines.
However, the WHO stressed that access remains a major barrier, as even with increased production, GLP-1 therapies are projected to reach fewer than 10% of those who could benefit by 2030.
The latest advice applies to adults with a Body Mass Index of 30 or higher, and the recommendations are for three agents;
- Semaglutide (sold as Ozempic and Wegovy)
- Tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound)
- Liraglutide, an older drug in the same class
In a conference call, the WHO said it would set out guidance for the treatment of obesity in children and adolescents next week.
