TOPLINE

GLP-1 use for weight loss rose to 11% among US adults in 2026, up from 3% in 2024, while obesity rates have declined from a peak of 39.9% in 2022 to 36.4% in 2026. Diabetes rates have stabilized since 2023.

METHODOLOGY

• A web-based survey of 5065 US adults was conducted from May 28, 2026, to June 05, 2026, using the probability-based Gallup Panel, encompassing all 50 US states and the District of Columbia.
• The survey determined the historical and current use of GLP-1s — Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide) — noting the FDA approvals for Wegovy in 2021 and Zepbound in November 2023.
• BMI and obesity rates were calculated using self-reported height and weight, and individuals were classified as having obesity if the calculated BMI was 30 or higher. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes were considered, and the diabetes rate was calculated using self-reported physician diagnosis; additional data on obesity and diabetes trends were from 10,091 respondents to surveys conducted in 2026 from February 18 to March 3 and May 28 to June 5.
• Current users were surveyed about medication type (brand-name vs compounded), effectiveness, and reasons for switching between medication types.

TAKEAWAY

• Awareness of GLP-1 drugs intended for weight-loss purposes increased from 80% in 2024 to 91% in 2026 among US adults. Current use nearly quadrupled over the same period from 3% to 11%, and 15% of adults reported using a GLP-1 for weight loss.
• Brand-name GLP-1 medications comprised 68% of the current use compared with 19% for compounded or custom-mixed versions; 12% of users were unsure of their medication type. Overall, 39% of compounded or custom-mixed GLP-1 users vs 32% of brand-name users reported that the medications were extremely effective, with 77% and 74%, respectively, reporting the medications to be effective or extremely effective.
• Current users of compounded or custom-mixed drugs were more likely to have switched from brand-name medications than vice versa (35% vs 10%), with cost or insurance coverage cited as the primary reason by 66% of those who switched to compounded versions.
• After peaking at 39.9% in 2022, the obesity rate among US adults fell to 36.4% in 2026, whereas diabetes diagnoses have held steady since 2023, after 15 years of gradual increases.

IN PRACTICE

“While brand-name GLP-1s continue to significantly lead the marketplace, the lower cost of compounded or custom-mixed varieties is fueling a shift away from brand-name choices and is likely making GLP-1s available to broader sectors of the population. That broader availability — though still limited — may be what’s driving GLP-1 usage higher overall,” Dan Witters, research director of the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index, Nebraska, wrote.

SOURCE

It was published online in Gallup News.

LIMITATIONS

Obesity figures relied on self-reported height and weight rather than direct measurement. Diabetes status was also self-reported.

DISCLOSURES

No disclosures or conflict of interest statements were provided.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.