Obesity Pandemic & Weight Loss Drugs

Why in News?

Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) scientists have endorsed a weight loss drugs for controlling obesity.

• Obesity – It is a chronic complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health.
• Diagnosis – It is made by measuring people’s weight and height by calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI).
• BMI categories – For defining obesity vary by age and gender,

• Globally, 1 in 8 people were living with obesity in 2022.
• In India, there were 44 million women and 26 million men living with obesity in 2022.
• Impacts – It increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
• It affects bone health and reproduction and it increases the risk of certain cancers.
• Globesity – An escalating global epidemic of overweight and obesity called as “globesity” is taking over many parts of the world.
• It elevated to greater levels during the times of COVID Pandemic.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists

World Health Organization (WHO) have endorsed a new class of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

• Role – A class of medications utilized to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity.
• Composition – It includes drugs such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, which have the potential to be transformative.
• Working – It mimics a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels.
• It lowers serum glucose levels and thereby manage metabolism in affected patients.
• Objectives – Identify the mechanism of action of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
• Assess the potential adverse effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
• Differentiate the proper administration techniques for GLP-1 analogs and the clinical monitoring necessary for patients prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists.

WHO is currently in the process of drafting guidelines for the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in adults with obesity, likely to be published in July 2025.

References

1. The Indian Express| Obesity Pandemic & Weight Loss Drugs
2. World Health Organization (WHO)| Obesity and its Symptoms
3. National Library of Medicine| GLP-1 receptor agonists