America's GLP-1 boom is real — and it's showing up in the data. A new Gallup survey finds 11% of US adults are currently using GLP-1 medications for weight loss, up from just 3% in 2024. Meanwhile, obesity rates have dipped from a peak of 39.9% in 2022 to 36.4% in 2026, suggesting these drugs may be starting to move the needle at a population level.
America's GLP-1 moment has officially gone mainstream. A Gallup survey of over 5,000 US adults found that 11% are currently using GLP-1 medications for weight loss — nearly four times the 3% reported in 2024 — and 15% have used one at some point. Awareness of these drugs has also climbed, from 80% in 2024 to 91% in 2026.
Cost is reshaping the market. While brand-name GLP-1s (like Ozempic and Wegovy) still dominate at 68% of current use, compounded or custom-mixed versions account for 19% — and users are switching. Among those who moved from brand-name to compounded versions, 66% cited cost or insurance coverage as the main reason. Compounded users were also slightly more likely to rate their medication as "extremely effective" (39% vs. 32% for brand-name).
The population-level impact is becoming visible: obesity rates have fallen from a peak of 39.9% in 2022 to 36.4% in 2026, and diabetes diagnoses have stabilized after 15 years of steady increases.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: GLP-1s are no longer a niche treatment — they're reshaping America's health landscape. The rise of compounded versions is expanding access beyond wealthier patients, and early population-level trends in obesity and diabetes suggest these drugs could have lasting public health implications.
