The obesity rate is falling as Americans increasingly turn to weight-loss drugs

US Obesity Rates Plummet Amid Surge in Weight Loss Medication Use

In a surprising turn of events, the US has witnessed a significant decline in obesity rates, with nearly 8 million fewer adults being considered obese. According to recent data from the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index, the obesity rate for adults dropped from 40% in 2022 to 37% in 2025.

The culprit behind this trend is no surprise: weight loss medications, specifically GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. These blockbuster medications have seen a staggering spike in usage over the past year, with the percentage of Americans using them for weight loss increasing from 5.8% to 12.4%. Women are using these medications at higher rates than men, but overall usage has doubled across both genders.

While the increase in GLP-1 drug use is undoubtedly contributing to the decline in obesity rates, it's worth noting that diabetes rates have not seen a corresponding decrease. In fact, the disease rate reached an all-time high of 13.8% in 2025, with diabetes affecting nearly one in every seven adults.

Experts point to several factors contributing to this paradox, including the complexity of the relationship between obesity and diabetes, as well as the chronic nature of diabetes. Obesity increases the risk of developing diabetes by four times, but not everyone who is obese will develop the disease, and some people without obesity are still diagnosed with it.

One notable trend is that women have been using weight loss medications at higher rates than men, which has contributed to the disparity in obesity decline between the sexes. Women's obesity rates dropped more significantly since 2022, with a 3.5-point decrease, compared to a 2.3-point drop for men.

The greatest reductions in obesity were seen among those aged 40-64, who also account for the largest proportion of GLP-1 drug users. This shift is likely due to the effectiveness and accessibility of these medications, as well as increasing awareness about their benefits.

While these findings are encouraging, they also highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing obesity and related health issues. The relationship between weight loss medication use and overall health outcomes is complex, and continued research is necessary to fully understand its implications.

So I was looking at this graph of US obesity rates over the past few years and it's crazy how much they've dropped! But what's even crazier is that it's all because people are using weight loss meds like GLP-1 drugs. It's not just women who are taking them, either - men are using them too, although at a lower rate.

I think it's cool that the rates have dropped so much, especially for people aged 40-64. They're the ones who are most likely to be using these meds, and it's awesome to see them reaping some benefits. But at the same time, I'm a bit concerned about what this means for diabetes rates... they're still going up despite obesity rates going down!

I guess we just need to keep monitoring things and seeing how this all plays out. It's not like it's gonna be an easy fix or anything, but it's a start!

8 million fewer adults being obese? That's gotta be some sort of record But let's not get too hyped just yet... those diabetes rates are still through the roof And it's all thanks to GLP-1 meds, right? Don't think that's a silver bullet. Need more than just a quick fix for our obesity issues

I dont think we should be celebrating this trend just yet . Sure, fewer people are obese, but that's partly because of meds that have side effects, like increased risk of diabetes . And what about the 13.8% diabetes rate? That's still a big deal. Plus, all these weight loss meds are just masking the symptoms, not addressing the underlying issues. What about all the processed foods and sedentary lifestyles that are causing this obesity problem in the first place? We cant just prescribe pills and expect everything to magically get better . We need to take a more holistic approach to health, not just rely on meds .

I'm kinda surprised by this news, but not entirely shocked. Like, we all know that weight loss meds are super popular right now, especially with the celebrities and influencers using them left and right . But what's interesting is that the obesity rates have actually gone down...which is a win in my book ! It's just crazy to think that GLP-1 drugs have played such a huge role in this trend. And it's cool to see women using them more than men, but also kinda weird that diabetes rates haven't dropped as much...like, isn't obesity supposed to increase diabetes risk or something? Guess we just need more research on all this stuff

omg i cant even believe what im reading like the US is actually seeing a decline in obesity rates?! its been ages since we saw some actual progress on this front! and yeah, weight loss meds are def playing a huge role here - those GLP-1 drugs are like magic pills or something i mean dont get me wrong, im all for people taking care of themselves and whatnot, but its kinda wild that we're seeing such a spike in usage... 12.4%?! thats insane!

and omg the fact that women are using these meds at higher rates than men is just crazy like what even is going on here?! is it because theyre more aware of their health or something? idk but i think its def a sign that we need to be having some conversations about body image and self-care, especially for women

anywayz back to the obesity rates and diabetes thing... yeah thats not as exciting but still super important i mean like we're seeing a decline in obesity but an all-time high in diabetes? what gives?! i guess its just another reminder that these two issues are linked and we need to be tackling them head-on

and can we talk about the demographics for a sec? 40-64 year olds being the most affected by weight loss meds is def interesting like why are they the ones who are seeing the greatest reductions in obesity?! is it because theyre more likely to have access to healthcare or something?

This is a fascinating development, especially considering how drastically the usage of GLP-1 drugs has increased, alongside the corresponding decline in obesity rates . While it's heartening to see a decrease in obesity, I'm intrigued by the paradox that diabetes rates have actually skyrocketed during this period . It raises important questions about our understanding of the complex interplay between these two conditions and highlights the need for further research into their relationships .

I'm kinda surprised to see the US obesity rates dropping, considering how much pressure there's been on people to get fit for years now . But what's crazy is that it's not just about diet and exercise - these new weight loss meds are playing a huge role . Women using them way more than men, which explains why the decline in obesity rates was kinda sexist . But at the same time, diabetes rates are still through the roof , so we gotta figure out what's really going on here . More research is definitely needed to understand how these meds impact overall health .

I'm not surprised at all about the decline in obesity rates! I've been using those GLP-1 meds for a while now, and I can honestly say it's made a huge difference. I mean, have you tried Ozempic? It's like a magic pill ! My weight loss journey was super smooth, and I feel so much more energized all the time.

But what really gets me is how women are taking control of their health. I've got a few friends who've started using these meds, and they're totally crushing it . Women's obesity rates dropping more significantly than men's? That's awesome! We need more women like that out there, rocking healthy habits .

Of course, we should be aware of the potential diabetes risks, but I think we can take steps to mitigate those. We just need to keep talking about it and making sure everyone has access to these life-changing meds . The trend is clear: GLP-1 drugs are working, and that's something we can all get behind !

The fact that weight loss meds are the reason for this decline in obesity rates kinda freaks me out... Like, what's next? Are we gonna just pop some pills and expect everything to be okay? I mean, don't get me wrong, it's great that people are taking control of their health and all, but let's not forget that there's more to being healthy than just the number on the scale. What about nutrition, exercise, and actual lifestyle changes? Are we really gonna rely solely on meds to fix our problems? And what about the diabetes rate spike? That's just weird... it doesn't add up to me at all...

You know what's wild? I was at the park yesterday and saw this guy playing fetch with his dog... but here's the thing - the dog wasn't even bringing the ball back! It was just running around like crazy while the dude was throwing it for him . I mean, is that really a game of fetch or are we just watching some human get exercise while their dog chases after his own tail? Idk, but it made me think about how we spend our time and whether it's all about what we're getting out of it.

And speaking of getting something out of it... I've been meaning to try this new weight loss supplement that everyone's been raving about. My friend's cousin's brother-in-law swears by it, but have you guys tried any of those things? Do they actually work or are they just another fad

think it's kinda weird that diabetes rates didn't drop with the obesity rate... like what's going on there? also feel bad for people who can't afford weight loss meds or don't have access to them, that's just not fair

I'm not buying it . Sure, some people might be using these meds and losing weight, but that's just a tiny fraction of the population. I mean, 8 million fewer adults being obese? That sounds like a PR stunt to me . And what about all the side effects from those meds? I've seen people on social media with weird rashes and stuff after taking them... it's not worth risking your health for weight loss . Plus, diabetes rates are still through the roof? Not exactly proof that these meds are solving anything . It's just a Band-Aid solution to a much bigger problem. We need to tackle the root causes of obesity, like diet and lifestyle changes, not just rely on quick fixes .

I'm loving this news! It's amazing how a surge in weight loss meds like GLP-1 drugs has led to a significant decline in obesity rates in the US. But at the same time, it's worrying that diabetes rates are still on the rise despite this trend. Diabetes is such a chronic condition and it's not just about obesity, so we need to keep working on understanding how these meds interact with other health factors.

I also find it interesting that women are using weight loss medications more than men - maybe there are some underlying issues at play here that we need to explore further? And it's great to see the largest reduction in obesity rates among people aged 40-64, who also seem to be the biggest users of these meds. Overall, this is a super encouraging sign that we're making progress on addressing obesity and related health concerns!

I mean, can you believe it? Obesity rates in the US are actually going down ... but at what cost?! They're saying it's all thanks to weight loss meds, which is kinda weird because diabetes rates haven't gone down like they should . I get that obesity and diabetes are linked, but shouldn't we be seeing some kinda correlation here? The fact that women are using these meds way more than men might be part of the issue too... and what's up with people aged 40-64 being the biggest beneficiaries . It's all good and great that people can lose weight and stuff, but we need to look at the bigger picture here. Can't just rely on pills to solve everything .

im not surprised by this trend, meds have been shown to work in studies and ppl are finally taking action the fact that womens obesity rates dropped more than mens is a good sign, maybe we're seeing some changes in the way we view health and weight loss? but at the same time, its still worrying about diabetes rates not coming down, thats just gonna lead to more health issues down the line... needs more research on this

I'm surprised that we're seeing a decline in obesity rates, but not entirely convinced by the sole reason being weight loss meds . I mean, sure, GLP-1 drugs are effective, but what about all the other factors at play? Like, have we improved our diets and lifestyles significantly enough to make such a huge impact just from medication use? And yeah, the diabetes rate is through the roof , so that's not exactly a silver bullet. Not to mention, how can we be sure this trend won't reverse once people stop taking these meds or other health issues kick in? I need some more info before I start celebrating

omg i'm so glad to see those obesity rates dropping , but like whats up with the diabetes rates skyrocketing? 13.8% is insane and it's wild that women are using weight loss meds at a higher rate than men too . i guess its good to know that GLP-1 drugs are working for some people, but we need more research on how they're affecting the bigger picture . and can we pls talk about how the 40-64 age group is the most affected? that's like the prime age for weight loss meds lol . anyway, gotta give it to the researchers for trying to figure this out, but lets keep pushing for a more comprehensive solution .

I THINK IT'S AMAZING THAT OBESITY RATES ARE DROPPING IN THE US!!! BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT DIABETES RATES HAVE REACHED AN ALL-TIME HIGH DESPITE THE DECLINE IN OBESITY RATES!!! IT'S LIKE, WE'RE FIGHTING ONE WAR ONCE AGAINST TWO ENEMIES. I ALSO WONDER IF THE USE OF WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS IS JUST A QUICK FIX AND NOT Addressing THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

It's interesting that we're seeing this decline in obesity rates amidst a surge in weight loss meds . I'd say it's a win-win for the pharmaceutical industry, but let's not get too excited just yet . This makes me think about how our healthcare system is incentivized to prioritize pill-popping over preventative care . Are we creating a culture where people are more focused on quick fixes rather than sustainable lifestyle changes?

And what about the diabetes rates not decreasing with obesity? That's a red flag if I've ever seen one . It just goes to show that there's no one-size-fits-all solution here, and we need to be careful not to oversimplify the issue of obesity and health . The fact that women are using weight loss meds at higher rates than men is also worth exploring .

I'm all for acknowledging progress when we see it, but let's not get ahead of ourselves . We need to keep having these conversations and asking tough questions about our healthcare system and how we're approaching weight management .