Overview

• The European Association for the Study of Obesity published a Nature Medicine guideline advising semaglutide and tirzepatide as the first choice for most patients needing substantial weight loss.
• The recommendations include condition-specific picks, with tirzepatide prioritized for obstructive sleep apnea and fatty liver disease, and semaglutide favored for knee osteoarthritis and patients with prior cardiovascular events.
• The guidance notes alternatives for lesser weight-loss needs, stresses that decisions remain country-specific, and says updates will follow as evidence evolves.
• UK politics and access feature prominently, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting pledging wider NHS rollout despite current provision in just 8 of 42 Integrated Care Boards and significant private uptake reported.
• Implementation cautions highlight the need for structured follow-up and lifestyle support, with NICE advising at least one year of post-treatment monitoring and experts flagging gastrointestinal side effects, costs, and equity concerns.