Drugs acting as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) developed for the management of T2DM reduce body weight and liraglutide is the first GLP-1RA to be approved for the treatment of obesity in patients with and without T2DM.<b>Areas covered</b>: In this review of relevant published material, the authors summarize the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy and safety of liraglutide for the treatment of obesity.<b>Expert opinion</b>: Liraglutide effectively reduces body weight and body fat through mechanisms involving reduced appetite and lowered energy intake, independent of its glucose-lowering effects.