Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, usually known by brand names like Ozempic, were designed to help people with diabetes manage blood sugar levels.
However, these drugs are now famous for one of their side effects: appetite suppression leading to weight loss. A 2024 survey by KFF found that 12% of Americans had used GLP-1 meds at some point, and 38% of those who took them did so for weight loss effects alone. The reliance on pharmaceuticals, especially among younger users, is in stark contrast to the traditional diet-and-exercise approach to shedding fat.
Will the exponential growth of Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists for weight loss continue? Or do Americans still think counting calories and hitting the gym is the way to drop pounds? AlynMD sought insights into the future of weight loss by asking 1,000 people about their weight loss preferences and their opinions of Ozempic.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) say they want to lose weight, and only 16% are content with their current weight. But when we look closer, the gender divide is striking: 71% of women want to lose weight, compared to just 58% of men, meaning women are over 20% more likely to want to lose weight than men.
While 2 out of every 3 Americans might think they’re overweight, that does not necessarily mean they want to drop a substantial number of pounds. Only 30% want to lose a significant amount, while the other 35% only want to shed a few pounds.
The use of medications is usually for people wanting significant weight loss. For instance, Ozempic can help significantly overweight people drop an average of 15% to 20% of their initial body weight.
The growing popularity of these medications may suggest that people prioritize rapid weight loss, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. These are America’s top weight loss concerns:
Speed over sustainability? Gen Z (12%) and millennials (9%) are far more likely to prioritize rapid weight loss compared to just 3% of baby boomers and 4% of Gen X, making Gen Z four times more likely than baby boomers to chase fast results.
24% of people say they’ve successfully figured out weight loss and are actively managing their weight with a disciplined diet and exercise. Meanwhile, 37% are in the process of trying to lose weight through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
Women are 40% more likely than men to be actively trying to lose weight (43% vs. 31%), yet men are more likely to say they’ve successfully managed their weight through diet and exercise (28% vs. 20%). Despite greater effort, women appear to struggle more than men when it comes to long-term weight management.
8 out of 10 (82%) of Americans still turn to diet and exercise for results, but they’re also exploring new ways to shed pounds.
Ozempic, in particular, has seen a spike in interest. According to Google Trends data, searches for the drug rose after the COVID-19 pandemic, with the medication becoming one of the most searched terms during May of 2024.
So, are some states more obsessed with Ozempic than others? According to recent Google search trends data, interest in the weight loss drug varies widely across the U.S. Southern states like West Virginia and Arkansas show the highest levels of curiosity, while states in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic — including Illinois, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C. — rank among the least interested.
Exercise and diet still dominate weight loss efforts, but 3 in 5 Americans struggle to find enough time to exercise. Only 39% can find enough time to exercise.
Older generations are better at making time for exercise. Nearly half of baby boomers (45%) say they can fit workouts into their schedules, compared to just 30% of Gen Z. Millennials (43%) and Gen X (34%) fall in between.
Income plays a role in fitness, too. Nearly half of high earners (48% of those making over $100,000 annually) say they can find time to exercise, compared to just 36% of people earning under $50,000. For those struggling to make ends meet, workouts are harder to fit in.
62% of Americans struggle to eat healthy because of time constraints, budget, or other factors. Here is how Americans handle the other element of weight loss: diet.
Is healthy eating really unaffordable — or just an excuse? The numbers suggest cost is a real barrier, especially for lower earners. Among those making under $50,000 a year, 37% say they can’t afford to eat healthy. That drops to 28% for middle-income earners, and just 17% among those making six figures.
Generational gaps in healthy eating are stark. Over half of baby boomers (53%) say they have the time and money to cook nutritious meals at home. But that number drops sharply among younger generations — just 38% of Gen X, 29% of millennials, and 32% of Gen Z say the same. For many, a healthy diet feels out of reach.
Americans have been able to lose weight, but they can’t keep it off. Only 12% of Americans say they’ve reached their weight loss goals and maintained their ideal weight successfully. Others haven’t been successful for various reasons.
When it comes to weight loss, Americans still prefer to take the traditional route. The top three choices are:
More invasive or restrictive methods — like giving up favorite foods forever (4%) or undergoing surgery (1%) — were the least popular options.
Americans are divided on how likely they’d be to use medications like Ozempic. 38% are actively pursuing using Ozempic or considering it in the future. 43% are currently uninterested, and 19% remain undecided.
Millennials (50%) are the most ready to use weight-loss medications, followed by Gen Z (41%). Only a quarter of baby boomers feel the same enthusiasm.
The driving reasons Americans want to use Ozempic are:
Nearly 3 in 4 Americans (74%) say weight loss drugs like Ozempic are socially acceptable, signaling a major shift in public perception.
More than half of Americans (52%) say weight loss medications like Ozempic affect how people view themselves, though many remain uncertain. Still, public attitudes are changing: 59% believe the stigma around these drugs has decreased in the past five years, while only 8% think it’s gotten worse.
As drugs like Ozempic become more common and less stigmatized, it raises a big question: Are we starting to see weight loss medication as a normal, even healthy, part of managing weight? What used to feel like a last resort is now part of everyday health conversations. But are we truly becoming more accepting — or are old stigmas still hanging on?
The rise of social media fitness experts on TikTok and Instagram is another trend dominating weight loss.
1 in 4 Gen Zers (27%) are trying TikTok health and fitness trends — and they’re twice as likely to be inspired by them compared to being disappointed (27% vs. 13%).
One of the biggest criticisms of social media is that it promotes unhealthy or unrealistic body images and negatively impacts self-esteem. Do weight loss drugs send similar mixed or harmful messages to people in their target market?
While some are concerned about the personal risks of medical weight loss treatments, others are questioning their broader cultural impact, especially on younger generations. Are these drugs helping promote health, or are they reinforcing harmful beauty standards?
50% of baby boomers, 47% of Gen Xers, and 51% of millennials agree that GLP-1 drugs send mixed messages. Interestingly, Gen Z is most skeptical, with 56% saying the rise in popularity of weight loss meds negatively impacts self-image.
Many celebrities have openly used Ozempic or similar drugs to slim down, but for most Americans, it doesn’t move the needle. Just 17% say they feel pressure to try weight loss medications because of celebrity use, while 55% say it has no impact at all. That said, younger generations are more likely to feel influenced than older ones.
In fact, Gen Z is five times more likely than baby boomers to feel influenced by celebrities and influencers when it comes to weight loss drugs like Ozempic (35% vs. 7%). Millennials also feel the pressure, with 24% reporting influence, nearly double that of Gen X (13%). The data shows a clear generational divide in how celebrity-driven weight loss culture affects decision-making, especially among those most active on social media platforms like TikTok.
Gen Z isn’t just more influenced by celebrity weight loss — they’re also far more in tune with it. Only 16% say they’re unaware of celebrities using Ozempic, compared to 34% of Gen X and 38% of baby boomers. The younger the generation is, the more likely they are to know who’s using what and feel the pressure because of it.
As medications like Ozempic become more common, so do the concerns. From health risks to social pressure, many Americans are uneasy about where this trend is heading. Here’s a look at people’s biggest worries about weight loss medications going mainstream.
While most side effects are mild and the medication is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for diabetes treatment, Ozempic is relatively new, so long-term effects may not yet be evident. It’s also true that appetite suppression ends when a patient stops taking a GLP-1 agonist. They could potentially regain lost weight, and many people do unless they alter their diet and exercise to remain in their ideal range.
Though Ozempic isn’t seen as addictive in the way painkillers are, two-thirds of Americans (66%) worry they’d become dependent on it just to keep the weight off. The concern goes further — 70% believe they’d likely regain the weight if they ever stopped taking the medication. Only 12% say they’re not worried about that outcome, while 18% remain unsure.
It might be blowing up on TikTok, but “Ozempic Butt” — the term for sagging skin and muscle loss from rapid weight loss — isn’t exactly keeping most Americans up at night.
Only about 1 in 10 say they’ve heard of it and are actually worried. A quarter haven’t even heard of it and aren’t concerned, and just over 1% of current users say they’ve noticed these side effects themselves. Despite all the online chatter, this so-called side effect doesn’t seem to be reaching the mainstream — or it’s getting buried under all the glow-up buzz.
Staying healthy isn’t just a lifestyle — it’s an investment. Between gym memberships, protein powders, fitness classes, and organic groceries, the costs can add up fast. So, how much are Americans shelling out each month to feel fit and well?
Millennials are leading the pack when it comes to investing in their health. Over a quarter (26%) spend more than $100 a month on fitness and wellness. That makes them more than 2.5 times as likely as baby boomers to splurge on things like gym memberships, supplements, and healthy food. Gen Z isn’t far behind, with 21% spending over $100 a month to stay in shape. In contrast, only 12% of Gen X and just 10% of baby boomers cross that threshold, showing a clear generational divide when it comes to prioritizing — and paying for — a healthy lifestyle.
From pricey medications to subscription meal kits and boutique gym memberships, it can feel like the best tools for weight loss and fitness are reserved for the wealthy. Still, 82% of people say they’re willing to grind out a fitness and diet plan on a tight budget.
But what if money wasn’t holding them back? Would their wellness routines look completely different?
If cost weren’t an issue, nearly half of Americans (44%) say they’d choose weight loss medications over diet and exercise to reach their fitness goals. But the generational divide is striking. Millennials and Gen Z are 1.5 times more likely than baby boomers to go the medication route, with half of each younger group opting in, compared to just 33% of baby boomers.
The takeaway? Younger generations are far more open to medical shortcuts when it comes to losing weight.
Ozempic and similar drugs aren’t always covered by insurance when used for weight loss, and most Americans think that’s a problem. Nearly 3 in 4 people (73%) believe today’s medical weight loss options unfairly favor the wealthy.
What’s more telling? That frustration spans the income divide. A full 72% of high earners ($100,000+) agree with this sentiment, right alongside 71% of those making $50,000 or less. Whether you’re flush with cash or scraping by, most people see the system as stacked.
One potential solution: have insurers cover medications like Ozempic for weight loss.
But public opinion is anything but unanimous here. Just 14% think coverage should be available to everyone, while 1 in 4 support it only for those with medical conditions like obesity or diabetes. Another 22% oppose coverage altogether. The most telling stat? Nearly 40% say they’re unsure, highlighting how unsettled — and still evolving — this conversation really is.
On the flip side of the fairness debate are those who worry about rising premiums. If weight loss drugs like Ozempic were widely covered by insurance, the cost could ripple out — with insurers potentially raising premiums across the board to offset higher payouts. That means even people who never use the medication could end up footing part of the bill.
Another emerging idea: companies could offer weight loss medications like Ozempic as part of their benefits package, either directly or through flexible spending or health savings accounts.
While overall interest is modest, about 1 in 10 Americans (12%) said access to weight loss meds would actually make them more interested in a job or improve their productivity. But dig a little deeper, and a generational divide appears: 39% of millennials and 35% of Gen Z said this kind of benefit would influence their job interest or performance. Still, with over half of all respondents (54%) unsure, it’s clear the idea hasn’t fully landed in the mainstream — yet.
When it comes to weight loss meds, many people expect results fast. In fact, more than a quarter say they’d expect to see changes within just a few weeks — and some even sooner.
While only 4% of the general population expect weight loss drugs to work within days, over 1 in 10 Gen Zers (13%) say they’d expect to see results almost immediately. The takeaway? For younger generations raised on instant everything, patience may not be part of the prescription.
While the appetite suppression effects may be apparent immediately, it often takes time for medications like Ozempic to fully work, especially since the first doses are lower to avoid side effects.
Despite the surge in popularity of weight loss medications, diet and exercise remain the top choices for Americans. Over half (51%) say they’d stick with traditional methods, while 27% prefer prescription medications like Ozempic, and just 5% would opt for surgery. Another 17% say they’re still unsure, signaling curiosity but not a clear shift away from classic approaches to losing weight.
But among those leaning toward medication, generational trends are starting to take shape: nearly 1 in 3 Millennials (32%) and more than 1 in 4 Gen Zers (27%) say Ozempic or similar drugs would be their go-to solution. It’s a sign that younger Americans may be more open to medical interventions — but for now, putting in the work still leads the way.
When it comes to weight loss drugs, nearly half of Americans are tapping the brakes. 47% say they wouldn’t risk using one at all if it meant facing side effects or other complications — even for rapid results.
Among those who would consider it, the biggest worries are:
The takeaway? While fast-tracked weight loss might be tempting, safety and long-term consequences still weigh heavily on people’s minds, and for many, those risks just aren’t worth it.
What about teenagers? Should they be able to use Ozempic for weight loss if their parents consent? The answer isn’t so clear — Americans are sharply divided on this issue.
While there’s some support for medical use in extreme cases, most Americans are hesitant — or firmly opposed — to teens using these medications, even with parental approval.
While it may never fully replace diet and exercise, Ozempic has officially earned its place in the weight loss conversation — and it’s not going anywhere. As access expands and public opinion continues to evolve, this medication is poised to remain a major player in how Americans approach weight loss moving forward.
For this survey, we gathered answers from 1,000 adults across the country. They came from 48 states and represented four different generations: baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z.
Our questions covered traditional weight loss methods, like diet and exercise, and medical weight loss options, like Ozempic and gastric bypass surgeries. We asked people about their own personal preferences and experiences as well as their thoughts on wider trends like fitness influencers and the popularity of GLP-1 agonist medications.
We used the data to learn if trends like the use of Ozempic and similar products for weight loss are actually gaining traction and supplanting traditional methods like diet and exercise. The data allowed us to draw conclusions about the present and future trends in weight loss.
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