A fast-growing class of anti-obesity medicines, known as GLP-1 drugs, is rapidly transforming weight-loss treatment in the United States. These medications mimic a natural gut hormone that regulates blood sugar and signals fullness, helping patients manage appetite and body weight.
Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, newer formulations—such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, sold as Wegovy by Novo Nordisk and Mounjaro by Eli Lilly—are now driving a major surge in demand and reshaping the broader obesity care market.
New data highlights the scale of this shift. By mid-to-late 2025, 12.4% of US adults reported using a GLP-1 drug specifically for weight loss, more than doubling from 5.8% in early 2024, according to Gallup surveys of over 15,000 adults.
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Public attitudes are also evolving alongside rising usage.
According to a Statista Consumer Insights survey conducted in early 2026, there is increasing acceptance, with many Americans viewing GLP-1 drugs as a legitimate treatment for a chronic disease or as a next step when lifestyle changes like diet and exercise fail.
At the same time, a section of respondents (around 9%) continue to express hesitation, citing beliefs that weight management should rely on willpower alone.
While around 8% feel no stigma using it, as such medication "is so common now".
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