The World Health Organization released its first-ever guidelines on pharmacotherapy for obesity, recommending that GLP-1 receptor agonists can be part of long-term management for people with obesity. The guidance reframes obesity as a chronic disease requiring sustained care and highlights the consistent weight-loss signals from trials of GLP-1s while noting gaps in long-term safety data. WHO’s statement synthesizes clinical trial evidence and expert review and underscores that medications may be appropriate as part of lifelong care alongside lifestyle interventions. The guidance prompted commentary in JAMA and reactions from surgeons and metabolic physicians who view the move as a shift from behavior-focused messaging to biologically informed care. Experts emphasized the need for longer follow-up studies and real-world safety monitoring; WHO cautioned that evidence on long-term outcomes, especially in younger populations, remains limited. Payers and health systems will face implementation questions on access and affordability as demand for GLP-1–class agents expands globally.