Research from consulting firm EY-Parthenon shows that 54% of people taking GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, now use them for weight loss, surpassing the share of people using them for diabetes and other chronic conditions. A separate Gallup poll conducted between May and June 2026 found that 11% of U.S. adults currently take these medications for weight loss, a significant increase from 3% reported in 2024.
The rise in usage follows the 2021 FDA approval of Wegovy for weight loss and the 2023 approval of Zepbound. Growth has been further supported by recent policy changes, including a 2025 Trump administration agreement with manufacturers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk that reduced the monthly cost of some brand-name drugs from approximately $1,000 to between $150 and $350. Additionally, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program now offers these medications to eligible beneficiaries for $50 per month.
Data indicates that the increased use of GLP-1s is influencing consumer behavior across the food and retail sectors. According to EY-Parthenon, 63% of users have reduced their consumption of sweet snacks and 57% report eating fewer salty snacks. In the apparel market, 72% of users reported sizing down in clothing, while roughly half of users increased spending on fitness services like gym memberships.
For the average household, the financial impact depends on insurance and medication type. While federal agreements have lowered brand-name costs for some, 27% of insured users told KFF they still pay the full price. Many consumers are turning to compounded or custom-mixed versions, which 18% of users now utilize. Gallup found that 36% of compounded-drug users switched from brand names, with 53% of those switchers citing cost or insurance coverage as the primary reason.
Beyond health care, the surge in GLP-1 use is creating a structural change in the economy. Retailers and food manufacturers are increasingly dedicating shelf space to protein-enhanced items and smaller portion sizes to accommodate changing diets. Researchers at the Wharton School are also beginning a study to determine if the drugs’ impact on the brain’s reward system can suppress other behaviors, such as luxury spending or gambling. Future usage levels may depend on the continued implementation of programs like TrumpRx, though KFF found that 62% of the public is skeptical that such policies will lower their personal drug costs.