Use of GLP-1 weight-loss medicines in the United States has reached unprecedented levels, signalling a rapid shift in public approaches to weight management amid growing mainstream acceptance and market expansion.
Use of GLP-1 weight-loss medicines has climbed to a record level in the United States, according to a Gallup survey that points to a rapid shift in how adults are approaching weight and metabolic health. The poll found that 11% of U.S. adults were currently taking one of the drugs in mid-2026, up from 3% in 2024, while 15% said they had used them at some point. Gallup said the survey was carried out between May 28 and June 5 and published on July 7, 2026.
The findings suggest that GLP-1 medicines, originally developed for diabetes and now widely used for weight management, are moving further into the mainstream. The Washington Post reported that the rise has been fuelled by greater awareness, easier access and intense public interest, although it also highlighted persistent obstacles, including insurance coverage gaps and the growth of compounded versions sold online.
Other recent evidence points in the same direction. Epic Research said prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs among U.S. adults more than quadrupled between the second quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2026, rising from 1,884 to 8,819 per 100,000 patients. The organisation also reported a modest decline in obesity rates over the same period, though it stopped short of claiming a direct causal link.
The scale of the market has prompted major expectations among analysts. UBS has projected that 40 million people worldwide could be using GLP-1 drugs by 2029, with the United States accounting for 44% of that total. FoodNavigator, meanwhile, reported that one in nine U.S. adults is now on a GLP-1 medicine for weight loss, underlining the likelihood that the trend will continue to shape both healthcare spending and food-industry strategy.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
