Fitness and Health Groups Call for System-Level Approach to GLP-1 Care
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
A coalition of global fitness, health, and sporting goods organizations is pushing back on the idea that obesity medications can stand alone, calling instead for integrated models that include physical activity and nutrition as core components of care.
In a joint position statement released March 31, 2026, the Health & Fitness Association, World Obesity Federation, ukactive, AUSactive, Exercise New Zealand, Fitness Industry Council of Canada, and the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry outline a clear position: pharmacological treatments should be embedded within broader systems that support long-term behavior change.
The timing is aligned with the rapid expansion of GLP-1 medications globally. As access increases, the group is calling on governments and health systems to ensure that investment in medication does not come at the expense of prevention, physical activity, and nutrition infrastructure.
The scale of the issue is material. The statement cites nearly three billion adults currently living with overweight or obesity, a figure expected to reach four billion by 2035. The associated economic impact is projected to hit $4.32 trillion annually, positioning obesity as both a public health and economic concern.
The organizations frame obesity as a complex, chronic condition driven by a combination of biological, behavioral, environmental, and social factors. Within that context, they state that medication alone does not address the full scope of the disease or deliver sustained outcomes without additional support.
From a systems perspective, the group outlines several risks tied to a medication-first approach. These include reduced long-term effectiveness if patients discontinue treatment without ongoing support, loss of muscle mass and functional capacity, and widening access gaps if complementary services are not made broadly available.
The statement positions physical activity and nutrition as operational requirements within any treatment model, rather than optional add-ons. These inputs are linked to maintaining muscle mass during weight loss, improving metabolic health markers, supporting mental wellbeing, and reducing the likelihood of weight regain.
For policymakers, the group outlines a set of actions focused on system design. These include embedding movement and nutrition services into reimbursement frameworks, protecting funding for prevention and community-based programs, expanding access across income groups, and shifting outcome measurement beyond weight alone to include broader health indicators.
The statement also calls for closer alignment between health and economic policy, positioning investment in physical activity and nutrition as contributors to productivity, workforce participation, and long-term cost reduction in healthcare systems.
Collectively, the organizations are advocating for an integrated model where medication, when clinically appropriate, operates alongside structured support for physical activity and nutrition, rather than replacing them.
