Gallup polling shows that the percentage of US adults taking GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy for weight loss has nearly quadrupled to 11%, up from 3% in 2024. Another 4% of Americans report past use of the medications. Obesity rates fell to 36.4%, down from a 2022 peak, and early research hints at…
The proportion of United States adults currently using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss has climbed to 11%, according to new Gallup polling data. This marks a nearly fourfold increase from the 3% reported in 2024, when the same polling firm last measured usage of medications such as Wegovy.
In addition to current users, the poll found that 4% of Americans said they have taken GLP-1 medications at some point in the past. Combined, the figures suggest that roughly 15% of the adult population has used these drugs at least once.
US obesity rates have declined further, the Gallup data indicate. The national obesity rate now stands at 36.4%, a drop from the peak of 39.9% recorded in 2022. While the poll does not prove a direct causal relationship between increased GLP-1 use and the falling obesity rate, the timing and magnitude of the decline suggest the drugs are playing a significant role.
The obesity rate had been rising for years before plateauing and then beginning to fall in the mid-2020s. The 36.4% figure represents the lowest level since before the pandemic, though it remains above the 30% threshold that public health officials consider a serious concern.
Early research continues to uncover potential health advantages of GLP-1 drugs beyond their original use for type 2 diabetes and weight management. The medications were first developed to treat diabetes but have since gained widespread attention for their weight loss effects.
A small clinical trial conducted this year found that GLP-1 drugs may help treat alcohol abuse, offering a potential new avenue for addiction therapy. Additionally, the same class of drugs appears to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, and this cardiovascular benefit seems to go beyond what would be expected from weight loss alone. These findings, while preliminary, point to a broader therapeutic potential that researchers are now actively investigating.
Peptides referenced: Semaglutide, GLP-1.
Related reading: FDA Approves Second IGF-1R Antibody for Thyroid Eye Disease, Bachem Holding AG Focuses on Peptide Manufacturing Amid Growing Biotech Demand, Dr. Reddy's Halts Generic Semaglutide Supply Over API Issue, Dr. Reddy's Expects Semaglutide Shortage Through Late October.