In the wake of the publication by the World Health Organization (WHO) of its first guidelines on the use of GLP-1 analogues in the treatment of obesity, we sought the opinion of Professor Philippe Froguel, international expert on diabetes and obesity, director of EGID at the Pasteur Institute of Lille.
An expected turning point and indicative of a strong societal demand.
According to Professor Froguel, the WHO's decision reflects " a clear response to a societal demand "in a context where obesity affects 25% of the population in Hauts-de-France.
« Many people would like to have access to these treatments " he emphasizes, recalling that GLP-1 analogues now constitute " very effective medications "to reduce food obsession — not appetite suppressants, but" treatments that act as anti-addicts ».
He insists, however: No medication is trivial.GLP-1 doesn't cure obesity; it treats it. And as with many chronic diseases, if treatment is stopped, the disease returns.
A major issue of fairness: “Those who need it most do not have access to it”.
GLP-1 treats, but prevention protects. It's often said that prevention is better than cure; in this case, it could even be said that prevention is better than treatment.
Professor Philippe Froguel
The main obstacle identified by the expert remains access to treatment. Currently in France, GLP-1 analogues are not not reimbursed for obesitybut only for people living with type 2 diabetes.
« Yet it is among the most disadvantaged populations that obesity is most frequent and most severe. These are precisely the people who should have priority access to it: it's completely counterintuitive. »
For Professor Froguel, it would be essential for the treatment to be accessible. at least to hospitalized obese people, who are often confronted with the most serious forms of the disease and its complications.
Prevention: the real public health challenge
Despite the effectiveness of GLP-1, the expert insists: "Medications alone will not be enough."
Obesity remains a chronic and multifactorial disease, deeply rooted in environments and living conditions.
According to him, the real priority remains:
- the earliest possible detection,
- comprehensive support, combining nutrition, physical activity and tailored monitoring,
- work with families is needed, because childhood and family obesity is increasing sharply.
Conclusion
The WHO recommendations represent a historic step in the management of obesity. But as Professor Philippe Froguel points out, their impact will only be real if they are accompanied by equitable access to these treatments and a massive strengthening of prevention policies, the only way to sustainably curb the global obesity epidemic.
