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Record Number of Americans Use GLP-1 Drugs for Weight Loss, Survey Finds

A Gallup survey reveals a significant rise in GLP-1 medication use amid a decline in U.S. adult obesity rates.

Jul 7, 2026, 7:16 PM The Hill

GLPorganization Galluptopic Gallup National Healthperson Number of Americanstopic Well-Being Indextopic Drug Administrationperson Record Number of Americans Use GLPtopic Survey Findsperson Weight Lossperson FDAorganization Surveytopic Drugstopic

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A new Gallup survey released on July 7, 2026, shows that a record number of Americans are taking GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, marking a substantial increase over the past two years. According to the poll, 11 percent of Americans currently use a GLP-1 medication for weight loss, up from just 3 percent in 2024. Additionally, 15 percent of respondents reported having taken the medicine for weight loss at some point, an increase of 9 percentage points.

Concurrently, the U.S. adult obesity rate has gradually declined to 36.4 percent in 2026, down from a record-high 39.9 percent in 2022—the year after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Wegovy, a GLP-1 drug, for weight loss treatment. Rates of diabetes diagnoses have also stabilized after a 15-year rise linked to increasing obesity.

The survey, part of the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index, polled more than 5,000 adults nationwide. Researchers suggest that the decline in obesity is linked to wider accessibility of GLP-1 drugs, though other factors may also contribute. Past research indicates a general alignment between GLP-1 usage and declining obesity rates across age groups, except for those aged 65 and older, where the drugs' effectiveness appears lower.

Despite the FDA's order last year to stop compounding nonbranded versions of GLP-1 drugs, the survey found that 19 percent of current GLP-1 users reported taking compounded or customized versions.

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Number of Americans taking GLP-1s for weight loss hits record high: Survey

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The Hill Captured Jul 7, 2026, 7:08 PM · Original story

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Overview: This article shows limited framing pressure in the available source text. A Gallup survey reveals a significant rise in GLP-1 medication use amid a decline in U.S.

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