"For decades, the obesity rate among Americans trended inexorably higher, to a peak of 39.9 percent in 2022. But now, new data from Gallup's National Health and Well-Being Index shows that something extraordinary has happened: that longstanding trend has reversed, with the obesity rate falling back down to 37 percent this year. "This is a statistically meaningful decrease representing an estimated 7.6 million fewer obese adults compared with three years ago," reads the report."
"The number of Americans on the drugs is likely to continue to rise. More people are learning about the drugs and advocating for them to be covered under health insurance, while lawmakers are lobbying for decreased prices, which are falling but can still run many hundreds of dollars per month. And Novo's competitors are getting in on the business as well, with similar drugs that can cost less and are sometimes even more effective."
U.S. adult obesity prevalence reversed after decades of increases, dropping from a peak of 39.9 percent in 2022 to 37 percent this year. Gallup's National Health and Well-Being Index reports this represents an estimated 7.6 million fewer obese adults compared with three years ago. Use of GLP-1 agonist medications such as semaglutide-containing Ozempic and Wegovy rose from 5.8 percent in February 2024 to 12.4 percent now. Rising use reflects growing awareness, insurance advocacy, falling prices, and competing lower-cost medications. Continued weight declines could produce major public health effects because obesity increases risks for heart, liver, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Read at Futurism
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