Weight Loss Drugs are Bringing Down the Country's Obesity Rate

A new Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index survey shows a notable decline in U.S. adult obesity rates — now 37%, down from 39.9% three years ago — coinciding with a sharp rise in the use of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.

These drugs, which suppress appetite and slow digestion, have become a major public health development in addressing obesity and related diseases like diabetes, now at a record 13.8%. Usage is highest among adults ages 50–64 and among women, groups showing the largest weight declines. However, limited insurance coverage may restrict access and slow broader progress. Read more from NPR here.