Select Page

 

Beyond Weight Loss: How GLP-1s Are Reshaping Consumer Health, Behavior, and Quality of Life

Top 3 Things You Need to Know

1. GLP-1 awareness is near universal, with adoption rising and interest holding steady.

GLP-1s are gaining traction year-over-year, though advocacy is limited.

GLP-1 Usage & Interest

  • Aware ⬆️ 92% 92%
  • Use ⬆️ 13% 13%

⬆️ Significanty higher than 2024 wave at 95% CL

Among those aware…

%

Would recommend GLP-1s

GLP-1 Users: 69%⬆️
Significantly higher than
Non-Users: 14%

Among those not currently using…

%

are interested in using at some point in the future

2. GLP-1 use cases and expectations are shifting from condition management to weight loss and holistic life impact.

Weight loss dominates the GLP-1 use case, driven by a surge of new adopters.

GLP-1 Users Snapshot

Have been using GLP-1 for…

TOP GLP-1 Uses…

%

Weight loss ⬆️

%

Manage specific health conditions

%

Manage blood sugar

%

Appetite suppressant

⬆️ Significanty higher than 2024 wave at 95% CL

👉 With a largely new user base, real world persistence and long-term outcomes are still taking shape.

GLP-1s have (potential) impact on weight, health, and a host of consumer decisions.

Top GLP-1 Impacts & Desired Impacts

GLP-1 impacts

among current users
  • Weight loss 65% 65%
  • Eat smaller portions 57% 57%
  • Feel fuller faster 50% 50%
  • Fewer cravings for ‘junk’ food 44% 44%
  • Improve overall wellbeing 32% 32%
  • Feel more in control of my health 32% 32%
  • Feel more confident 30% 30%
  • Have more energy 26% 26%
  • Eat out less at QSRs 25% 25%
  • Choose more low/no sugar beverages 25% 25%

GLP-1 Desired Impacts

among interested consumers
  • Weight loss 77% 77%
  • Improve overall well-being 48% 48%
  • Have more energy 41% 41%
  • Fewer cravings for ‘junk’ food 39% 39%
  • Eat smaller portions 35% 35%
  • Feel more in control of my health 33% 33%
  • Feel more confident 33% 33%
  • Feel fuller faster 30% 30%
  • Eat out less at QSRs 15% 15%
  • Choose more low/no sugar beverages 15% 15%

3. GLP-1s are transforming lives beyond weight loss. From metabolic outcomes to emotional relief, users describe changes that extend well beyond the scale.

For current users, GLP-1s are delivering meaningful clinical improvements while also driving significant psychological, lifestyle, and quality of life impacts.

Impact on Life after Starting GLP-1

THE EXPECTED POSITIVE IMPACT

Clinical and Metabolic Improvement

Significant weight loss

📉 Weight loss from ~20 lbs to 100+ lbs

✅ Resulting in improvements in mobility, self-esteem and overall well-being

“Using it, I have lost about 25 pounds and I’m feeling better about myself and about my health.” –Millennial, Female

“I’ve been able to bring my blood sugar under control to a 5.7 every month. It is also allowed me to lose over 200 pounds in the last two years.” -Baby Boomer, Female

Improved blood sugar control

🩸 Meaningful improvements in A1c and blood glucose stability.

🏆 Many seek glycemic control first, with weight loss as a bonus

“My A1c has dropped to levels of individuals without type 2 diabetes.” Baby Boomer, Male

“I am more energetic, sugar, a1c is under control. I am off metformin.. insulin….” Baby Boomer, Female

Reduction in cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors

💓 Reduced blood pressure, improved cholesterol, lower inflammation, and fatty liver improvement

“Lost 43 lbs, my lipids are cut in half & I am at a lower risk for another cardiac event or stroke.” Baby Boomer, Female

“Using this drug has definitely taken my body weight down, but it is also lowered all of my cholesterol numbers which in my family has always been on a very high side to see these numbers low for the first time makes me very happy” Gen X, Female

THE UNEXPECTED POSITIVE IMPACT

Beyond Metabolism, A Psychological and Lifestyle Transformation

Fundamental shift in relationship with food

🍎 Reduced appetite and more thoughtful eating habits

💚 Greater focus on nourishment, less emotional eating

“I often hear people say it’s cheating, but do you have any idea how MISERABLE it is to be hungry ALL the time… Not being hungry all the time is magical.” –Millennial, Male

“I’ve had much fewer cravings, steady, slow weight loss, and better mental health!” –Gen Z, Female

Mental and emotional health benefits

😊 Greater confidence and emotional wellbeing, with reduced anxiety around food and body image

💪 Feel more in control of their lives

“It has made me feel better physically through weight loss and psychologically by reduced focus on dieting and food.” Gen X, Male

“I have lost 40 lbs since starting on GLP-1… I am happier and less depressed.” Baby Boomer, Female

Greater physical well-being and energy levels

🏃‍➡️ Improvements in mobility, stamina, and physical comfort

⚡ Greater activity and energy levels

“I am down over 100 lbs , portion my food, count calories and walk 5miles a day 5x a week. I have changed my whole lifestyle.” –Gen X, Female

“Well, believe it or not, I used to weigh about 500 pounds… I no longer require a wheelchair when I’m outside of my home.” –Millennial, Female

However, the GLP-1 experience is not uniform

GLP-1 outcomes are not universal, with side effects and plateaus reinforcing the importance of personalized care and expectation management.

Side effects can impact quality of life

🙁 Mild nausea to severe GI issues are reported

📉 Some report significant impacts on quality-of-life.

“I lost some weight while using it, but I was nauseous all the time.” –Gen X, Male

Plateaus or limited efficacy

🟰 A few report limited or temporary results

🟰 Plateauing after initial weight loss is seen

“I’ve lost some weight, but not as much as I had hoped.” –Gen X, Male

“My life really hasn’t changed. I have lost 10 pounds and I have already plateaued after taking the medication for only 3 months.” –Millennial, Female

Hear directly from consumers about their GLP-1 experiences.

In Conclusion...

A word on our approach 

This study was conducted using our proprietary mobile-first, conversational based platform that allows for the capture robust quant data and emotive qualitative insights, all in one seamless experience. We’ve found that this approach facilitates greater disclosure on sensitive topics, and ultimately produces deeper, richer insights that can drive better business decisions.

This research was fielded in December 2025. We engaged with 1,043 Americans, aged 18+, nationally-representative. 

 

Want to share this with your team?

Don’t forget they’ll need the password to access the page.

Curious to see the full presentation?

Email me at dara.stlouis@reach3insights.com or use the Contact button below.

Contact