The trend: Consumer use of weight loss drugs surged in 2025.

• 12% of US adults say they’re currently using a GLP-1 drug, per November 2025 KFF survey data—double the share (6%) reported in May 2024.
• Use of GLP-1s for weight loss is being driven primarily by adults 40 and older, according to October 2025 Gallup data.
• Prescription growth reflects uptake of branded drugs like Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (US prescriptions tripled YoY in Q3 2025) and Mounjaro (prescriptions up 60% YoY in Q3 2025) as well as compounded alternatives.
• Prescriptions of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic also grew in 2025, though more slowly than in prior years.

Why it matters: Rising use of GLP-1s is having a broader impact on multiple industries, including healthcare and pharma, apparel retailers, and consumer packaged goods. As adoption spreads, changes in consumer behavior are becoming more apparent, which will affect demand and cost structures in these sectors.

• Healthcare providers cite a surge in prescription requests. Around 30% of patients have requested GLP-1s for weight loss, per a survey of primary care physicians from Omada Health earlier this year.
• Insurers are looking to curb rising drug costs. More large employers covered GLP-1s for obesity in 2025, but use of these medicines is driving up prescription drug spending for health plans and employers alike.
• Pharma companies are racing to launch a weight loss pill as effective as injections. Drugmakers know many consumers are wary of needles, but they still want to tap the lucrative weight loss drug market. Other drug developers are testing a weight loss drug that would be taken monthly, rather than weekly.

Implications for healthcare providers and insurers: As GLP-1 use expands, providers and payers should focus more on persistence and cost effectiveness. Doctors may need to more closely monitor side effects and educate patients on maintenance dosing to curb high GLP-1 discontinuation rates. Insurers and employers should pair coverage of these costly medications with lifestyle and nutrition programs to drive long-term cost savings.

Implications for weight loss drugmakers: Consumer demand and pressure for lower GLP-1 prices will fuel competition, but Novo and Lilly are well positioned due to their scale. Companies working on weight loss drugs still in pre-market could gain from partnerships or acquisitions, particularly if clinical results show promise.

Implications for apparel retailers: Apparel companies need to rethink their merchandising strategies as demand for larger sizes has declined over the past two years, according to retail data analyzed by Impact Analytics. This shift spans women’s tops, bottoms, shapewear, as well as men’s apparel.

Implications for CPG brands: Growing GLP-1 use is reshaping grocery spending, as users typically shift toward items low in sugar but high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and away from products high in sugar and carbohydrates. This trend puts pressure on CPG companies to update their product mix, which may include rolling out items with added protein and offering smaller package sizes.