A new report from RAND has found that nearly 12% of people in the United States have taken a type of weight loss drug known as GLP-1 drugs.
These medications have become very popular in recent years, especially among women between the ages of 50 and 64. In fact, almost 1 in 5 women in that age group have tried them.
The study was based on a large national survey. It included answers from 8,793 people from across the country. Researchers asked them if they had ever used GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic, and how they felt about it.
While 11.8% said they had already used the drugs, 14% said they were interested in trying them in the future. However, most people—about 74%—said they didn’t plan to take them.
GLP-1 drugs were originally created to help people with diabetes, but scientists later found that they could also help people lose weight. These drugs affect hormones in the body that control hunger.
As a result, people feel full more quickly and eat less. Since 2020, the number of prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs has more than tripled, showing just how quickly they’ve gained popularity.
But taking these drugs doesn’t come without problems. Many people who have tried them report unpleasant side effects. About half of the users said they felt nauseous, and about one-third experienced diarrhea.
These are two of the most common side effects, and they can be serious enough that some people decide to stop using the medication.
The survey also found that women use these drugs more than men overall. But the trend changes slightly depending on age. Among people between 50 and 64, women are the most likely group to use GLP-1 drugs.
Interestingly, among those 65 and older, men use the drugs a little more than women. For people between 30 and 49 years old, women are more than twice as likely to use them compared to men.
The information comes from the RAND American Life Panel, which is a long-running study that has followed thousands of people over the years. The panel began in 2006 and includes around 11,000 participants who regularly answer surveys. This most recent survey was conducted in April and May 2025.
The report is titled “New Weight Loss Drugs: GLP-1 Agonist Use and Side Effects in the United States” and was written by researchers Robert Bozick, Shannon Donofry, and Katherine M. Rancaño. It is the first of several reports planned by RAND to show trends in health and lifestyle among Americans.
Overall, this new study gives us a clearer picture of how widely GLP-1 drugs are being used in the United States and what kinds of problems people are having with them. On the one hand, they offer a promising way to help people lose weight, which can reduce risks of diseases like heart problems and diabetes.
On the other hand, the side effects and growing use raise questions about how safe and sustainable this trend really is. As more people consider trying these medications, it’s important to understand both the benefits and the risks.
If you care about obesity, please read studies about Scientists find new key cause of obesity and findings of Double whammy: diabetes drug also knocks out obesity.
For more about weight loss, please read studies about Scientists find secrets to long-term weight loss success and findings of Weight loss surgery linked to this mental disease.
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