WHO conditionally recommends GLP-1 therapies for obesity as part of a broader approach including healthy diet, physical activity, and professional support.
- These guidelines provides recommendations specifically for three GLP-1 drugs used in the long-term treatment of obesity in adults i.e. liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide.
About GLP-1 drugs or GLP-1 agonists:
- These are a class of drugs that mimic the hormone Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is naturally released from the gut after meals.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists help control blood sugar by increasing insulin when needed and reducing glucagon.
- They also slow digestion and reduce appetite, leading to better satiety and weight loss.
- They are used mainly for Type 2 Diabetes and obesity management.
About Obesity & its status:
- Obesity is defined by excessive fat deposits leading to increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease etc. It is having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher in adults.
- BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (kg/m²).
- It affects more than 1 billion people and is associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024.
- 24% of Indian women and 23% of Indian men are obese. (NFHS-5 (2019-21)).