The case for primary prevention of obesity in the era of GLP-1 therapies

Obesity rates continue to rise across Europe, driven by obesogenic environments shaped by food systems, urban design, socioeconomic inequalities, and commercial forces. The introduction of incretin-based pharmacotherapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists has transformed treatment, leading to significant weight loss and metabolic benefits for many. This progress has shifted public and policy discourse, with some suggesting that effective treatment reduces the urgency of prevention. However, this position paper argues that the growing availability of medications actually reinforces the need to prioritize primary prevention. While pharmacotherapy can improve individual outcomes, it cannot lower population-level risk or deliver the wider societal, environmental, and economic benefits of prevention. The paper also outlines key policy implications to reaffirm prevention as a cornerstone of public health across Europe.