World Health Organization Releases Guidelines for GLP-1 Inhibitors

The World Health Organization (WHO) just passed their guidelines concerning GLP-1 inhibitors (i.e. Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Zepbound); what does this mean for you and obesity rates? Originally formulated to treat type II diabetes, GLP-1 inhibitors blew up in popularity a few years ago as increasing numbers of Hollywood celebrities cast these drugs as the secret to help them lose weight and keep the weight off. Since then, demand for GLP-1 inhibitors blew up in popularity amongst regular people, creating a lot of debate concerning its safety and potential long-term ramifications.

World Health Organization established new guidelines for drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy

Contrary to popular belief, GLP-1 inhibitors are not magic — you still have to eat healthy and exercise consistently to see real and sustained weight change. With obesity rates rising in the United States and the rest of the world, it is increasingly important that individuals take action in controlling their weight, especially since deaths related to obesity are on the rise. Let’s take a look at what the WHO says.

Use and Indications

According to the WHO, obesity is characterized as a chronic disease with high potential of relapsing and requires lifelong care. They suggest that weight gain is more easily treated when action is taken early, as opposed to waiting to the point where one is obese or morbidly obese — in these situations, that could mean that GLP-1 inhibitors would not even be needed. Additionally, behavioral treatment, along with medical and surgical interventions, are also viable in helping people gain control of their weight issues.

The manner of treatment prescribed for an obese person depends on the individual. For example, some individuals are perfectly capable of losing weight with the help of a GLP-1 inhibitor, alone; meanwhile, others may require additional assistance, such as behavior therapy along with the medication.

GLP-1 inhibitors help people lose weight by managing hunger. Taking these medications extends satiety and makes one feel a sense of being full sooner, which means decreased overeating. Weight gain happens when a person is consuming more calories than burned over an extended period, and by controlling hunger and overeating, this increases weight management and weight loss success for those who generally have difficulty with eating habits.

Challenges

Treating individuals to lose weight with GLP-1 inhibitors is not without its challenges. As the sports commentator/Hall Of Fame tight end for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, Shannon Sharpe, once said for athletes— “The most important ability is availability.” The WHO mentions that to effectively battle against obesity with the help of drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, etc., there has to be enough supply for the larger population to be able to have access to these drugs.

Along with availability of GLP-1 inhibitors to fight against obesity, the WHO mentions that the drugs have to be made affordable so people in need are not being priced out. When Ozempic’s popularity started to blow up, it was about $1000 a month for four weekly injections. Since then, different manufacturers have worked with insurance companies to make the products more affordable, and more recently, President Trump had proposed to companies that they continue to make these drugs more affordable to combat obesity in the U.S.

The WHO mentioned semaglutide, the main active ingredient in Ozempic and Mounjaro, are slated to have their patents expire in 2026, which should allow generic brands to hit the marketplace and lower costs, thus expanding the drug’s obtainability across a wider range of potential customers. Having a greater supply of semaglutide GLP-1 inhibitors also helps to better manage demand, and, ultimately, lead to a possible drop in prices.

Beyond the Medication

In general, the benchmark for labeling a person as “obese” is when his/her body mass index (BMI) is at 30 or above. The WHO guidelines mentions that fighting obesity before approaching this threshold or immediately upon getting there can make the weight loss process less difficult. Since the cause of obesity is based on a wide variety of factors, the sooner a person acts to manage his weight, breaking unhealthy habits behind the weight gain are easier to be broken.

Nevertheless, GLP-1 inhibitors are not a magic bullet that are immediately going to make fat melt away without requiring any work on your behalf. The WHO and most physicians who specialize in weight loss agree that increased physical activity through exercise would serve as a beneficial lifestyle change for those looking to lose weight while taking drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, etc. Adopting a weight training exercise program helps to speed up fat loss while supporting muscle maintenance or even grow more muscle mass. Additionally, resistance training helps individuals improve bone strength, which is hugely important for those over 30 and especially pre- and post-menopausal women.

For weight loss to sustain long-term success, the WHO guidelines on GLP-1 inhibitors encourages establishing an ecosystem that includes community building, education, and therapy support to work in addition to widespread access to the medication. Having a strong relationship with pharmacological innovation with holistic therapy is necessary, and, of course, it doesn’t help to criticize or mock a person for taking a GLP-1 inhibitor.

Conclusion

Globally, over 1 billion people are obese and the WHO predicts this number to surpass 2 billion by 2030; in the U.S., about 40% of adults are obese, in which men and women between ages 40-59 lead within age groups. While President Trump opted to withdraw from the WHO, his administration has taken steps to make GLP-1 inhibitors more affordable and accessible to the public, recently setting up a deal with Eli Lilly to make Zepbound and Mounjaro potentially cost less than $200 a month. While the long-term impact of GLP-1 inhibitors on global obesity is to be determined, early data indicates that they may have a substantial impact on lowering obesity rates. Until then, whether or not you are taking Ozempic or whatever, it’s still important that you are consistently eating healthy and exercising.

About the Author

Julio Lopez is a Navy Veteran, former collegiate athlete, and personal trainer with a Master’s degree in Nutrition. He is the founder of 365 Physique Personal Training and Nutrition, where he specializes in helping busy people build a healthy lifestyle into their schedule. You can find Julio training his in-person clients at Versatile Fitness in east El Paso, Texas and sharing practical tips on social media.

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