Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 4 hrs ago
More Americans now use GLP-1 drugs for weight loss than other conditions
A survey of nearly 15,000 people found that about 54% of semaglutide users take the drugs to lose weight, more than use them for other medical reasons.
Semaglutide medicines include Ozempic and Wegovy, which were originally prescribed for health conditions such as diabetes.
Many users say they have changed what they eat, with 63% cutting back on sweet snacks and 57% eating fewer salty snacks.
Food makers and retailers are responding with more protein-enhanced foods and smaller portions.
Weight loss is also changing what users buy to wear: 72% said they moved to smaller clothing sizes, and 46% switched apparel brands.
Wider availability and lower prices have helped bring the drugs to more people, including younger, lower-income and male consumers.
A University of Pennsylvania research team plans to study whether GLP-1 drugs also affect risky choices such as gambling or luxury purchases.
More Americans now use GLP-1 drugs to lose weight than for diabetes and other medical conditions, according to new EY-Parthenon research.
About 54% of people taking semaglutide medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy use them for weight loss.
The survey included nearly 15,000 people, including 3,602 current or former GLP-1 users.
Users reported changes in food choices, clothing purchases and spending on fitness services.
Wider availability and lower prices are helping more people use the drugs for weight loss.
- Who
- Americans taking GLP-1 drugs, including semaglutide medications.
- What
- More users take the drugs for weight loss than for other health conditions.
- When
- The findings were reported on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- Wider availability and lower prices are helping drive use for weight loss.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A Trump administration agreement with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk lowered the cost of Ozempic and Wegovy to between $150 and $350 per month.
CBS News reported EY-Parthenon's findings on GLP-1 use and consumer habits.
- Weight-loss use
- About 54% of semaglutide users
- Survey size
- Nearly 15,000 people, including 3,602 current or former GLP-1 users
- Reduced sweet snacks
- 63% of GLP-1 users
- Sized down in clothing
- 72% of GLP-1 users
- Monthly drug cost after agreement
- $150 to $350 for Ozempic and Wegovy
What people are saying
Some consumer packaged goods makers thought this was a blip or fad. Now I don't hear that. Everyone accepts that this is a structural change that's not going away.
We are finding that manufacturers and retailers are making more room on store shelves for GLP-1-diet-specific foods, or protein-enhanced items, and smaller portion sizes.
You're losing a lot of weight on the drugs, so you're needing to buy differently.