Inside the DIY Ozempic boom
Americans are cooking their own Ozempic. This is why we should be concerned.
There are an estimated 7.6 million fewer obese adults today than there were three years ago, according to a new study, and injectable weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wigovy may be a contributing factor.
The U.S. adult obesity rate, calculated as a BMI of 30 or higher, has gradually declined from a record high of 39.9% in 2022 to 37% in 2025, according to a Gallup National Health and Welfare Index study released on Tuesday, October 28.
At the same time, the index found that GLP-1 drug use among both men and women has more than doubled in the past year, with 12.4% of respondents saying they had used the drug, compared to 5.8% in February 2024, when Gallup first measured it. Approved as a weight loss drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021, the drug has become popular as an effective way to lose weight by keeping you feeling full longer and reducing food intake.
But while Americans are losing weight, the study also found that the diagnosis rate for diabetes – a lifelong disease that can be managed but not cured – is now at an all-time high of 13.8%, raising continuing questions about how to become healthier.
More Americans are using injectable drugs to lose weight
Americans view GLP-1 as the preferred option for weight loss, a lifelong struggle for many. According to the Pew Research Center, more than half of Americans think GLP-1 is a good choice if you want to slim down. Knowledge about GLP-1 has also skyrocketed, with 9 out of 10 Americans now aware of these drugs, the study says.
In recent years, the use of GLP-1 has increased rapidly across the United States, especially now that 13 states fully cover GLP-1 for obesity treatment under Medicaid. Lawmakers across the country are pushing for more coverage because drugs can cost hundreds of dollars a month without insurance. An April 2025 study found that wide disparities in prescription rates cut across racial, economic, and geographic lines, with some Americans even cooking GLP-1 drugs at home to cut costs.
A better financial framework could help solidify GLP-1 as a long-term obesity solution in the United States, the study says. Additionally, obesity rates among Americans continue to rank much higher than other countries, which the study says could help justify expanded policies and coverage.
Americans weigh less. However, diabetes is still on the rise.
Despite the increase in GLP-1 injections for weight loss, diabetes rates have not fallen, according to the survey, which asked adults, “Have you ever been told by a doctor or nurse that you have diabetes?”
Among respondents diagnosed with diabetes, 14.1% said they used GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, slightly more than the general adult population. However, while GLP-1 is a powerful solution to weight management and the effects of long-term diseases such as diabetes, it is not a panacea, the study says. Research says genetics, environment, and our overall health also play a role. Achieving healthier lives across America requires medical intervention as much as personal choice. Therefore, do not forget to eat correctly, exercise and maintain beneficial habits.
