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For the first time in ten years, the U.S. adult obesity rate has dropped, coinciding with the rising popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medications, according to a recent study. Researchers from Harvard University report that the obesity rate decreased from 46.2% in 2021 to 45.6% in 2023, based on data collected from nearly 17 million adults nationwide.
Obesity is classified as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. The new findings, published in the JAMA Health Forum, mark a notable departure from a decades-long upward trend in obesity prevalence across the United States.
Potential Role of GLP-1 Medications
The study points to a surge in the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound, which have gained traction as effective weight-loss solutions. These medications mimic hormones that help regulate appetite, often resulting in significant weight loss for users.
While the study’s authors, led by Dr. Benjamin Rader of Harvard Medical School, caution against drawing direct causal links between the declining obesity rates and increased GLP-1 use, they note a correlation, particularly in the South, where obesity reductions were most pronounced. This region also reported the highest rates of GLP-1 prescriptions.
“The most notable decrease [in obesity] was in the South, which had the highest observed…dispensing rate,” the authors wrote.
Promising Trends Amid Longstanding Challenges
Between 2013 and 2021, average adult BMI in the U.S. steadily increased, climbing from 29.65 to 30.23. However, in 2022, BMI levels plateaued, and in 2023, the average BMI fell slightly to 30.21.
The declines in obesity rates were most significant among older adults (ages 66 to 75) and women, according to the study. These findings offer a glimmer of hope against a backdrop of rising obesity rates over previous decades.
“While obesity remains a considerable public health concern, the observed reductions in obesity prevalence suggest an encouraging reversal from long-standing prior increases,” Rader’s team noted.
Factors Beyond Medications
The researchers highlighted that other factors, such as the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, could also have influenced obesity rates. In regions like the South, the pandemic disproportionately impacted individuals with obesity, potentially affecting overall trends.
While the findings do not definitively credit GLP-1 medications with the decline, the results underscore their growing role in addressing obesity in the United States.
Looking Ahead
The study underscores the importance of continued efforts to combat obesity, which remains a major public health issue. As GLP-1 medications become more accessible and further research unfolds, experts hope to better understand their long-term impact on obesity trends.
For more information on GLP-1 medications and their role in weight management, visit the Cleveland Clinic.
Journal Reference:
Benjamin Rader et al., Changes in Adult Obesity Trends in the US, JAMA Health Forum (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.3685.
