WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Six percent of U.S. adults, representing an estimated 15.5 million people, report having used injectable diabetes medicine to reduce weight, including 3% who are currently using such medicine specifically for this purpose. Current or past usage runs slightly higher among women, those with health insurance and those aged 40 to 64.
This analysis is part of the 麻豆传媒AV National Health and Well-Being Index. The results are based on a web survey of 5,577 U.S. adults, conducted March 4-9, 2024, using 麻豆传媒AV’s probability-based panel encompassing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Novo Nordisk drug Wegovy for weight loss in 2021, the use of diabetic drugs containing semaglutide has rapidly gained popularity among those hoping to lose weight. Other options have since come on the market, including Zepbound (tirzepatide), which received FDA approval in November 2023.
To measure current or previous household use, 麻豆传媒AV asked: “Have you or a family member ever taken an injection for weight loss, such as semaglutide (brand names Ozempic and Wegovy) or liraglutide (brand name Saxenda)?” To measure current individual use, 麻豆传媒AV asked: “Are you currently taking injections for weight loss, such as semaglutide (brand names Ozempic and Wegovy) or liraglutide (brand name Saxenda)?” The data reported here are based on individual rates rather than household.
Reported Effectiveness Diminishes Among Those Aged 65 and Older
Close to two-thirds of Americans who have taken weight loss injections (64%) say the drugs have been either “extremely effective” or “effective” at helping them lose weight. Only 11% report weight loss injections to be “not at all effective.”
Perceived effectiveness is relatively consistent among younger and middle-aged adults, with 70% of those aged 18 to 49 and 67% of those aged 50 to 64 reporting weight loss injections as effective or extremely effective. Among adults aged 65 and older, however, reported effectiveness is much lower, at 48%.
Users of Injectable Weight Loss Drugs Carry Heavier Disease Burden
Both current and past users of weight loss injections are more likely to be obese than those who have never taken injections. Current users are about twice as likely to be obese as those who have never taken injections (71% vs. 36%, respectively).
Associated chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are also substantially higher among both current and past users than among those who have never taken weight loss injections, indicating a higher overall disease burden among users.
However, compared with current users, Americans who have previously taken weight loss injections report lower levels of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. While these differences are consistent with the benefits reported in clinical trials, weight loss injections that are prescribed in conjunction with changes to diet and exercise may also help reduce disease burden.
Current Users Report Greater Benefits Than Past Users
Current users are more optimistic about their weight loss and wellbeing than past users. Nearly three-quarters of current users (73%) say weight loss injections are effective or extremely effective, compared with 53% of past users.
Although experiencing lower levels of effectiveness may contribute to decisions to discontinue using weight loss injections, less positive reports among past users are also consistent with recent critiques of weight loss injections as a long-term solution, with sources indicating that discontinued use can be associated with weight gain or other side effects.
Implications
Reported effectiveness among users of injectable weight loss drugs indicates that a substantial number of Americans -- about 10 million -- believe they have benefited from the injections. Evidence of lower rates of obesity and other chronic conditions among past users relative to current users may corroborate these reports.
However, lower levels of self-reported effectiveness among older adults and past users, as well as lower rates of use among uninsured Americans, suggest a need for further exploration of patterns of access and benefit across various subgroups.
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