Obesity Rates in US Take a Rare Dip

Obesity rates in the US have finally begun to decline, according to the latest data from Gallup's National Health and Well-Being Index. The share of US adults reporting obesity dropped from 39.9 percent in 2022 to 38.5 percent in 2024, marking the first time in decades that the rate has decreased. The decline is largely attributed to the increasing use of semaglutide, a medication commonly known by its brand name Ozempic, which has been prescribed off-label for weight loss. The medication works by mimicking a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels, leading to significant weight loss in many patients. "This is a major breakthrough in the fight against obesity," said Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of California, San Francisco. "For the first time in decades, we're seeing a decline in obesity rates, and it's largely due to the use of semaglutide." The use of semaglutide for weight loss has been a game-changer for many patients, including those who have struggled with obesity for years. The medication has been shown to lead to significant weight loss, often in excess of 10 percent of a patient's body weight. The decline in obesity rates is also having a significant impact on the healthcare system. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the use of semaglutide for weight loss has led to a significant reduction in healthcare costs associated with obesity-related conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. The trend is also being seen in other countries, where the use of semaglutide for weight loss is becoming increasingly common. In the UK, for example, the National Health Service has reported a significant decline in obesity rates among patients who have been prescribed the medication. While the decline in obesity rates is a welcome trend, experts caution that it's still early days and more work needs to be done to address the root causes of obesity. "This is a step in the right direction, but we need to continue to address the underlying factors that contribute to obesity, such as lack of access to healthy food and safe spaces for physical activity," said Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, a physician and public health expert. As the use of semaglutide for weight loss continues to grow, experts are closely monitoring the trend to see if it will lead to a sustained decline in obesity rates. With the first decline in decades, there is hope that the tide is finally turning in the fight against obesity.