A new Gallup survey suggests the U.S. adult obesity rate has fallen as more people use GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. The online poll of nearly 17,000 adults, conducted in the first nine months of 2025, asked respondents about height, weight, diabetes diagnoses, and use of GLP-1 medications.
Gallup’s findings show obesity declined from a record high of nearly 40% in 2022 to 37% in 2025, a drop that the researchers say represents about 7.6 million fewer Americans with obesity. Women’s obesity rates fell by more than three percentage points to just under 39%, while men’s dropped by just over two points to about 35%. Adults 40–49 and 50–64 saw larger declines—about four and five percentage points, respectively—with rates near 43% in both groups. Gallup defined obesity as a body-mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, calculated from self-reported height and weight.
The poll also found a sharp increase in GLP-1 medication use: from nearly 6% in February 2024 to 12% in 2025. Women reported higher use (15%) than men (just under 10%). Use was highest among people ages 50–64 (17%), followed by 40–49 (16%) and 65-plus (11%).
Experts interviewed agreed the rise in GLP-1 use likely contributes to the falling obesity rate but cautioned about limits in the data. Kristin Kirkpatrick, RDN, president of KAK Consulting and a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic Department of Wellness & Preventive Medicine, said the poll aligns with her clinical experience: awareness of GLP-1 drugs is widespread, many patients ask about candidacy, and weight loss in her practice has increased, particularly among women. Mir Ali, MD, bariatric and general surgeon and medical director at MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center, said he was somewhat surprised but pleased to see the impact reflected in survey results.
David Cutler, MD, a family physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, pointed out caveats: BMI from self-reported height and weight can misclassify people—for example, someone who loses fat but gains muscle might still be labeled obese. He also warned that the poll’s diabetes figure—nearly 14% of adults, a record high—relies on whether people have ever been diagnosed with diabetes, which would include cases now in remission.
Experts emphasized that GLP-1 drugs are effective but not a magic short-term fix. The medications fall into two main groups: semaglutide-containing drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, and tirzepatide-containing drugs like Mounjaro and Zepbound. They act on the brain’s hypothalamus to reduce appetite and cravings, increase fullness, and slow gastric emptying—mechanisms that help people eat less and lose weight.
Common side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation), abdominal pain, headaches, and fatigue. Clinicians stress the importance of monitoring and informed decision-making. Cutler noted many people using GLP-1s do not meet criteria for obesity and seek modest, often cosmetic, weight loss. He said the drugs are relatively safe and very effective when patients are properly monitored.
Experts uniformly recommended combining medication with lifestyle changes for best outcomes. Good nutrition, portion control, and regular exercise remain essential, particularly because the drugs reduce appetite and intake. Kirkpatrick advised partnering with healthcare providers, programs, or companies that offer comprehensive support—dosing guidance, meal planning, exercise strategies, and access to diet, fitness, and mental health professionals—to maximize long-term success.
Planned “off-ramps” for stopping medication are also important. Ali suggested strategies like tapering dosage or spacing doses as people near the end of treatment. Cutler warned against yo-yoing—repeated cycles of losing and regaining weight and losing muscle mass can harm metabolic health and leave people worse off than when they started. Kirkpatrick echoed the need for a healthcare team to monitor safety, manage contraindications, and design a sustainable long-term plan that may or may not include eventually discontinuing the drug.
Finally, experts urged patients to be aware that dehydration and gastrointestinal discomfort can occur and to expect a long-term treatment mindset: these medications treat a chronic condition and require ongoing lifestyle planning and medical oversight.
