Recent data from a Gallup report published in July indicates that the US adult obesity rate fell to 36.4 percent, dropping down from a peak of 39.9 percent in 2022. This shift aligns with a sharp rise in the consumption of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, which grew from 3 percent of US adults in 2024 to 11 percent in 2026—representing approximately 29 million people, according to data from the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index. While analysts note that the numbers show correlation rather than direct causation, the timing highlights a significant shift in public health metrics.
US Adult Obesity Rates Drop as GLP-1 Usage Surges
Beyond Weight Loss: Surprising Health Benefits Emerge
Originally developed and approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, molecules like semaglutide—sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy—were found to have substantial effects on appetite and weight, leading to the approval of Wegovy in 2021. However, clinical trials and research have revealed a wide array of secondary health benefits extending far beyond weight management:
- Sleep Apnea: Two year-long trials involving 469 patients on tirzepatide cut breathing interruptions by more than half, with roughly half the group finishing the year with no apnea at all or vastly reduced fatigue.
- Kidney Health: A major trial tracked 3,533 people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease for a median of 3.4 years.
- Joint Pain: In 407 adults suffering from obesity and moderate knee osteoarthritis, pain scores measured on the 0-100 WOMAC metric dropped 41.7 points, compared to 27.5 points for those on a placebo.
- Cardiovascular Health: A 17,604-person trial involving participants who were overweight or obese without diabetes found a 20 percent reduction in major cardiovascular events.
New Research Compares Hair Loss Risks Between Medications
As popularity continues to soar, researchers are also uncovering potential side effects, such as hair shedding and alopecia. Pre-publication research from nference Labs compared the occurrence of alopecia in patients using the GLP medication tirzepatide—sold as Zepbound or Mounjaro—with those taking the GLP-1 medication semaglutide.
The observational study followed new users over a 12-month period. After six months, incident alopecia occurred in 1.55 percent of tirzepatide users compared to 1.24 percent of semaglutide users. By 12 months, those figures widened to 4.20 percent versus 2.88 percent, respectively. Among a specific subset of 8,985 female patients, incident alopecia occurred in 5.44 percent of tirzepatide users versus 3.63 percent of semaglutide users.
Dr. Mona Gohara, a clinical professor in the department of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine, noted that even when researchers matched patients by the amount of weight they lost, hair loss remained slightly more common with tirzepatide at 4.24 percent versus 3.33 percent. Dr. Gohara explained that tirzepatide acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, whereas semaglutide acts primarily on GLP-1 receptors. Medical experts emphasize that while temporary hair shedding can occur with weight loss, persistent shedding, bald patches, scalp pain, or inflammation should be evaluated by a dermatologist.
