US Obesity Rates Plummet Amidst Rise in Weight Loss Medication Use
A new report from Gallup reveals that the obesity rate among US adults has dropped to 37% in 2025, down from a record high of nearly 40% in 2022. The decline is attributed to an increase in the use of GLP-1 weight loss medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy.
According to Gallup's National Health and Well-Being Index survey, which involves nearly 17,000 adults, the percentage of Americans using these medications for weight loss has surged from 5.8% in February 2024 to 12.4% now. The use of GLP-1s has not only risen among the general population but also disproportionately among women, who are now using these medications at a rate nearly twice that of men.
Despite this uptick in weight loss medication use, diabetes rates have reached an all-time high of 13.8%, with no corresponding decline in obesity rates. The relationship between these two conditions is complex, as while obesity increases the risk of diabetes four-fold, not everyone who is obese has diabetes, and some people without obesity are diagnosed with it.
This phenomenon can be attributed to several factors, including the chronic nature of diabetes, which makes short-term reductions in obesity unlikely to curb diabetes rates. Furthermore, the use of weight loss medications is often driven by health concerns rather than behavioral changes, which may not necessarily translate to long-term lifestyle shifts.
The survey found that women have been driving the growth in GLP-1 drug usage, with their rate increasing from 6.9% in 2024 to 15.2% in 2025. Meanwhile, obesity rates have dropped more significantly among women than men since 2022, with a 3.5 percentage point decrease to 38.8%. The age group most affected by this trend is people between 40 and 64 years old, who also exhibit the highest rate of GLP-1 drug use.
The findings from Gallup's survey highlight the evolving landscape of weight loss treatments in the US, where medication use has become a critical component of obesity management. However, the persistence of high diabetes rates underscores the need for comprehensive approaches that address both physical and behavioral aspects of health.
A new report from Gallup reveals that the obesity rate among US adults has dropped to 37% in 2025, down from a record high of nearly 40% in 2022. The decline is attributed to an increase in the use of GLP-1 weight loss medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy.
According to Gallup's National Health and Well-Being Index survey, which involves nearly 17,000 adults, the percentage of Americans using these medications for weight loss has surged from 5.8% in February 2024 to 12.4% now. The use of GLP-1s has not only risen among the general population but also disproportionately among women, who are now using these medications at a rate nearly twice that of men.
Despite this uptick in weight loss medication use, diabetes rates have reached an all-time high of 13.8%, with no corresponding decline in obesity rates. The relationship between these two conditions is complex, as while obesity increases the risk of diabetes four-fold, not everyone who is obese has diabetes, and some people without obesity are diagnosed with it.
This phenomenon can be attributed to several factors, including the chronic nature of diabetes, which makes short-term reductions in obesity unlikely to curb diabetes rates. Furthermore, the use of weight loss medications is often driven by health concerns rather than behavioral changes, which may not necessarily translate to long-term lifestyle shifts.
The survey found that women have been driving the growth in GLP-1 drug usage, with their rate increasing from 6.9% in 2024 to 15.2% in 2025. Meanwhile, obesity rates have dropped more significantly among women than men since 2022, with a 3.5 percentage point decrease to 38.8%. The age group most affected by this trend is people between 40 and 64 years old, who also exhibit the highest rate of GLP-1 drug use.
The findings from Gallup's survey highlight the evolving landscape of weight loss treatments in the US, where medication use has become a critical component of obesity management. However, the persistence of high diabetes rates underscores the need for comprehensive approaches that address both physical and behavioral aspects of health.
so obesity rates are actually dropping down to 37% now? thats a pretty cool stat, but its crazy how ppl got to be taking weight loss meds like ozempic & wegyovy to get there... like 12.4% of adults in the US r using these meds now 
that's some serious doc prescribed action! and wats with the women driving this growth tho? theyre takin these meds at a rate nearly twice as much as men... thats wild 
, but at the same time I'm also kinda concerned about how many people are relying on weight loss meds instead of making lifestyle changes 
. Like, I get it that medication can be helpful and all, but it's not a long-term solution, you know? And I saw this stat where diabetes rates have gone up 
, so like, what's going on there?
, and that's interesting because it makes me wonder if there's some underlying issue with men's health or something. And what's up with people between 40 and 64 years old being the most affected by this trend? Is it because they're just more likely to be dealing with weight issues or... idk 
. Maybe if we could get people to make some changes in their lifestyle habits, like eating healthier and exercising more regularly, then we wouldn't see this rise in diabetes rates 
.
. those glp-1 meds r super popular now & womens are driving it forward, but what about men? 
need more research, tbh 
37% of adults aren't obese anymore, but who knows how long that'll last? And it's crazy how much women are driving this trend - they're basically taking over the world (or at least the GLP-1 market)! 
Either way, someone's gotta keep paying for all these meds! 
. But on the other hand, I think the rise of weight loss meds might be a bit concerning 
. But what about the long-term effects? Are we just treating symptoms rather than addressing underlying issues like lifestyle changes or diet 
?
Are women just taking care of themselves better? 
Yeah right! We know how that's gonna happen... meanwhile, the diabetes rates are going through the roof. It's like our bodies are just constantly fighting a battle. And what's up with women being like 2x more likely to use these meds? Is it because they're more aware of their health or something? 
Like, don't get me wrong, GLP-1 drugs can be super helpful for some people, but what's going on with all these prescriptions being handed out like candy? 
And why are women driving the growth in drug usage? I mean, I'm not saying they're not affected by weight loss - they totally are! 
That's the kind of thinking I want to see! 
is it just a quick fix to get the stats down for now and then what's next? we can't just keep relying on meds to solve our health issues. that's not how it works. we gotta take care of ourselves, like, in real life. diet, exercise, stuff like that. medication's fine, but it shouldn't be the only thing people rely on. 
we need to address the root cause of this problem, not just slap a pill in people's hands 
. However, I'm not convinced that this shift in treatment will have a lasting impact on diabetes rates, given the chronic nature of the disease 
. What's missing from this narrative is any discussion of systemic changes that could contribute to a broader cultural shift in our relationship with food and exercise 
. Now it's all about these fancy meds like Ozempic and Wegovy 
. I mean, I know weight loss meds can't cure everything, but it's concerning. We need to find more sustainable solutions here 
.
. It's amazing how something as simple as a change in diet can make you feel better! Maybe this trend is just a sign that we're starting to recognize the importance of self-care? 
Obesity rates have dropped to 37% in 2025, but don't think this is all sunshine and rainbows... The use of weight loss meds like Ozempic has skyrocketed, and it's mainly women who are driving the growth 
. And let's not forget, those with higher incomes are more likely to use these meds 
... Not exactly the kind of progress we'd like to see 
.
. I guess it makes sense given that they're more likely to be prescribed these types of medications, but still...it feels like there should be a more holistic approach to this problem. We need to start looking beyond just medication and think about how we can create healthier habits for the long-term 
.
.
. But at the same time, it's a bit concerning that diabetes rates are still super high even though obesity rates are going down