The percentage of American adults who are currently taking a GLP-1 drug for weight loss is 11%, according to a new survey from Gallup. That’s up from 8% in 2025 and 3% in 2024, according to the polling firm.
Gallup surveyed 5,065 U.S. adults from May 28 to June 5, 2026 and first asked respondents whether they’ve ever taken weight loss medications like semaglutide (sold under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy), liraglutide (prescribed under the name Saxenda) or tirzepatide (brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound).
The percentage of Americans who have ever tried these medications is currently 15%, according to Gallup, up from 12% in 2025 and 6% in 2024. The percentage of Americans who have heard of these drugs for weight loss has also reached an all-time high (91%), up from 80% in 2024.
The U.S. FDA approved the use of Wegovy for weight loss in 2021 and Zepbound in late 2023, kicking off mainstream use of the products among Americans. Wegovy is made by Novo Nordisk and Zepbound is made by Eli Lilly.
Gallup notes that obesity reached a record high in the U.S. in 2022 at 39.9% but has ticked down to 36.4%, according to the latest data based on self-reported height and weight. That dip has been credited to the large number of Americans now using GLP-1 drugs.
It wasn’t that long ago that a much smaller percentage of Americans was characterized as obese. A decade ago in 2016, 28.4% of Americans were obese. In 2008, it was 25.5%.
Among Americans who are on GLP-1 drugs, 68% report using brand names like Wegovy and Zepbound, according to Gallup. Nineteen percent report using a compounded or custom-made version, while 12% don’t know what type they’re using. Those who switch from a brand-name GLP-1 to a compounded version are likely to cite a lack of insurance coverage as the primary reason.
GLP-1 drugs have become incredibly popular, but they can cause side effects in some people, including severe nausea and negative impacts on smell or taste. Other side effects appear to be more positive, including a possible reduction in alcoholism and cocaine cravings, along with curbs on violent behavior.
Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have helped many people lose weight, but it’s not for everyone. Aside from the possible negative side effects, it also appears that people over 65 years of age find GLP-1s to be less effective than younger people.
As drug companies develop more palatable delivery methods, more Americans are likely to hop on the GLP-1 train. The drugs are typically delivered by subcutaneous injection. But the oral Wegovy pill was approved in late 2025 and pharmaceutical companies are reportedly working on more pills that will likely give patients more options in the future.
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