Obesity Decline from Record High, Survey Reveals: Key Reasons Explained

The Decline in US Obesity Rates: A New Trend

For the first time in years, the obesity rate in the United States is showing a downward trend. This shift is largely attributed to the increasing use of weight loss injections such as Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications have gained significant attention and are playing a key role in helping individuals manage their weight more effectively.

Gallup recently released its latest National Health and Well-Being Index, which revealed that the adult obesity rate has dropped to 37.0% in 2025. This marks a notable decrease from the record high of 39.9% recorded in 2022. The reduction equates to approximately 7.6 million fewer obese adults across the country. However, despite this improvement, the US still maintains one of the highest obesity rates in the Western world.

Rise in GLP-1 Medication Use

Alongside the decline in obesity rates, there has been a significant increase in the use of GLP-1 injectables like semaglutide for weight loss. Gallup’s findings indicate that 12.4% of adults now use these medications, up from 5.8% in early 2024. This represents more than a doubling of usage within a year.

Women are at the forefront of this trend, with 15.2% reporting the use of these drugs compared to 9.7% of men. Both genders have seen their usage more than double over the past year, reflecting increased awareness of the medications. The national awareness of these drugs has risen from 80% to 89%.

Age Group Impacts

Obesity rates have declined across most age groups, particularly among adults aged 40 to 64. This same demographic reports the highest usage of GLP-1 treatments. For instance, those aged 40 to 49 experienced a drop of 4.3 points in their obesity rate since 2022, reaching 43.3%. Meanwhile, adults aged 50 to 64 saw a five-point decline to 42.8%.

Despite these positive developments, the data also shows that diabetes diagnoses have reached an all-time high of 13.8%. This highlights that while obesity rates may be decreasing, the prevalence of diabetes remains a critical issue. According to Gallup, “the growing popularity of GLP-1s has led to healthier [body mass index] scores but has not lessened the rate of diabetes diagnoses, which is a lifetime diagnosis.”

The Role of Medical Innovation

Semaglutide was approved for weight loss in 2021 and has since become one of the most recognized medications in the US. Currently, thirteen states fully cover GLP-1 treatments for obesity through Medicaid, with more considering similar legislation. While these medications have contributed to the decline in obesity, they are not a substitute for healthier lifestyle choices.

Gallup researchers emphasize that sustained health progress will likely depend on more than just medical innovation. They suggest that rebuilding healthier daily routines that complement pharmacological treatments is essential for long-term success.

Survey Methodology

The Gallup survey included 16,946 adults online during the first nine months of 2025. This extensive data collection provides a comprehensive view of the current health landscape in the US.

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Krisna Dwi Wardhana

Lahir di Padang pada tahun 1991, saya telah tinggal di berbagai wilayah di Indonesia sejak TK hingga kuliah, termasuk Aceh, Palembang, dan Bogor. Saya meraih gelar Sarjana Sains dari FMIPA Universitas Indonesia. Saat ini, saya bekerja sebagai Pendidik di sebuah sekolah swasta di Bogor, Tutor privat sambil tetap fokus mengembangkan Bisakimia.

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