Employee perceptions and experiences with tirzepatide treatment for obesity or overweight in the US: Insights from the PERCEPTIONS Survey

Most full-time employed US adults starting tirzepatide for obesity reported significant work and activity impairment, and the overwhelming majority thought employer health insurance should cover obesity medications. Over half said they would consider changing jobs to get such coverage, and most felt coverage would improve job satisfaction.

Journal article — Observational longitudinal real-world survey. Population: Full-time employed US adults with obesity or overweight initiating tirzepatide. Sample size: 518 full-time employees. Interventions: tirzepatide.

Among the 518 full-time employees, mean age was 46.0 years, mean BMI was 38.4 kg/m2, and mean employment duration was 89.8 months. Most (80.9%) had employer-provided health insurance, and 55.9% of those reported coverage for obesity medications. 96.5% believed employer-provided insurance should include obesity medication coverage, 81.7% said coverage may increase job satisfaction, and 52.3% would consider changing jobs to obtain coverage. WPAI scores showed mean activity impairment of 43.0% and overall work impairment of 32.4%.

For researchers studying tirzepatide, this paper provides real-world baseline data on work productivity, insurance coverage perceptions, and job-related attitudes among employed adults initiating tirzepatide for obesity. It does not establish clinical efficacy, causality, or long-term outcomes of tirzepatide treatment.

Key findings

Among 518 full-time employees, 80.9% had employer-provided health insurance, and 55.9% of those reported coverage for obesity medications.
96.5% believed employer-provided insurance should include obesity medication coverage.
81.7% reported that obesity medication coverage may increase job satisfaction.
52.3% reported they would consider changing jobs to receive obesity medication coverage.
Mean activity impairment was 43.0% and overall work impairment was 32.4%, driven primarily by presenteeism.

Limitations

Self-reported survey data are subject to recall and response bias.
Observational design cannot establish causality between tirzepatide and outcomes.
Baseline analysis only; longitudinal results are not yet reported.
Recruitment via clinical sites and specialist agencies may introduce selection bias.

The record

Journal: Obesity pillars 19: 100298
Published: 2026-07-09
PMID: 42518363 — DOI: 10.1016/j.obpill.2026.100298
Funding: Eli Lilly and Company
Author countries: UK, USA

Peptide profiles: Tirzepatide.

All indexed evidence: Tirzepatide trials & papers.