Ozempic took center stage at the Golden Globes when host Nikki Glaser joked to the A-list Hollywood audience that the award ceremony was the weight loss drug’s “biggest night.”
Getting healthy and losing weight consistently ranks high among New Year’s resolutions. Yet, the statistics surrounding obesity in the United States are stark. The CDC reports that 70% of the U.S. population is now classified as overweight. More alarmingly, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey shows that approximately 40% of Americans are obese, with 9.7% defined as severely obese. In a recent YouGov poll, 69% of responders identified obesity as an epidemic in the U.S.
Polls offer valuable insights into how Americans perceive their weight and how their views have evolved over time. According to a Gallup report conducted in partnership with West Health, 55% of participants expressed a desire to lose weight, while only 11% wished to gain weight. Moreover, 43% identified themselves as overweight.
Historical data reveals shifting attitudes toward weight loss. From 1951 to 1957, most individuals aimed to maintain their current weight. However, since 1996, the predominant response has consistently been a desire to lose weight. The Roper Center at Cornell provides additional perspective, noting that in the 1950s, roughly 5% acknowledged the link between being overweight and heart disease. By 2009, this understanding had surged to 92%.
Market dynamics are evolving too. A recent Gallup survey indicated that 24% of Americans are now using fitness trackers, a significant increase from 19% five years ago. Additionally, 26% reported tracking their health statistics using smartphone applications.
Interestingly, a Kaiser Family Foundation report from Spring 2024 noted that nearly 60% of Americans are aware of weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, marking an increase from 43% the previous year. Among respondents, 12% reported having taken one of these drugs, with an equal number using them for treatment of diabetes or heart disease as for weight loss.
Public perceptions of obesity vary. While 33% of respondents view it as a “complex chronic disease,” 40% attribute it to a “lack of self-control.” Additionally, the prevalence of belief in willpower as a sufficient means for weight loss shows demographic divides. Among self-identified Republicans, 40% stated willpower is usually enough compared to only 28% of Democrats.
Poll responses suggest that opinions on the new medications vary, as 53% believe these drugs are beneficial for people with health-related conditions. However, only 12% consider them appropriate for those simply wanting to lose weight without such conditions.
Despite improvements in public awareness regarding obesity, confidence in medications’ ability to combat it remains tepid. Only 16% of individuals familiar with these drugs expect them to significantly reduce obesity rates.
Source: Forbes
