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.
				
			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
 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!
 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.
 But what's even crazier is that it's all because people are using weight loss meds like GLP-1 drugs.  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 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... 
 It's not like it's gonna be an easy fix or anything, but it's a start!
 It's not like it's gonna be an easy fix or anything, but it's a start! 
 But let's not get too hyped just yet... those diabetes rates are still through the roof
 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?
 And it's all thanks to GLP-1 meds, right?  .
. . But what's interesting is that the obesity rates have actually gone down...which is a win in my book
. 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?
! 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
 Guess we just need more research on all this stuff 
 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
 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!
 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!  .
. . But what's crazy is that it's not just about diet and exercise - these new weight loss meds are playing a huge role
. But what's crazy is that it's not just about diet and exercise - these new weight loss meds are playing a huge role  . But at the same time, diabetes rates are still through the roof
. But at the same time, diabetes rates are still through the roof  .
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 . 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.
. 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.
 . 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
. 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
. 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
. Plus, diabetes rates are still through the roof? Not exactly proof that these meds are solving anything  .
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 . 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
. 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 
 , but like whats up with the diabetes rates skyrocketing? 13.8% is insane
, 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
 and it's wild that women are using weight loss meds at a higher rate than men too  . This makes me think about how our healthcare system is incentivized to prioritize pill-popping over preventative care
. 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?
. Are we creating a culture where people are more focused on quick fixes rather than sustainable lifestyle changes? 
 That's a red flag if I've ever seen one
 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
. 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
. The fact that women are using weight loss meds at higher rates than men is also worth exploring  .
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