WASHINGTON, D.C. — More Americans say they are using GLP-1 weight-loss medications, and the country’s adult obesity rate continues to move downward, according to new Gallup polling released July 7, 2026.
Gallup found that 11% of U.S. adults say they are currently taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss, up from 3% in 2024. The share who say they have ever used the drugs for weight loss has risen to 15%, Gallup reported.
The medications include drugs such as semaglutide, sold under brand names including Ozempic and Wegovy, and tirzepatide, sold under names including Mounjaro and Zepbound. Some of the drugs were first developed for diabetes treatment but have become increasingly prominent for weight loss and obesity treatment.
The poll also found that public awareness of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs has grown sharply. Gallup said 91% of Americans are now aware of the medications, up from 80% in 2024.
At the same time, Gallup reported that the U.S. adult obesity rate has declined from a record high of 39.9% in 2022 to 36.4% so far in 2026. Gallup said the decline has occurred as GLP-1 use has increased, though the poll does not prove the drugs are the only reason for the change.
Gallup calculates obesity using body mass index, or BMI, based on self-reported height and weight. The polling organization noted that self-reported information can differ from clinical measurements, but said the trend remains useful because the method has been consistent over time.
The survey also shows that brand-name drugs remain the most common form of GLP-1 use. Gallup found that 68% of current users report taking brand-name medications, while 19% say they are using compounded or custom-mixed versions. Another 12% said they were unsure which type they were using.
Cost and insurance coverage appear to be major factors in the market. Among people who switched from a brand-name GLP-1 to a compounded version, Gallup found that two-thirds cited cost or insurance coverage as the main reason.
Most users surveyed said the medications are working for them. Gallup reported that about three-quarters of both brand-name and compounded users described the drugs as effective or extremely effective.
The findings come as the popularity of GLP-1 medications continues to reshape conversations about obesity, health care costs, insurance coverage and long-term weight management in the United States. The drugs can be expensive, and medical experts generally advise that they be used under the care of a health professional as part of a broader plan that may include diet, exercise and monitoring for side effects.
Gallup said the latest GLP-1 usage results are based on a web survey of 5,065 U.S. adults conducted May 28 through June 5, 2026, through the Gallup Panel. Its 2026 obesity and diabetes estimates are based on more than 10,000 respondents from surveys conducted earlier this year.