A recent study published in JAMA Health Forum highlights a decrease in U.S. obesity rates for the first time in a decade, attributed to popular weight loss drugs like semaglutide. The obesity rate in 2023 dropped slightly from 44.1% to 43.96%. Researchers noted significant changes in the Southern U.S., where prescriptions for drugs such as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro are concentrated. These GLP-1 drugs help reduce food intake by delaying gastric emptying and increasing satiety.
Despite challenges like high costs and limited supply, these medications are already impacting obesity trends. The South saw obesity rates decrease from 46% to 45%, with a higher prescription rate compared to other regions. The study suggests a positive reversal in obesity trends, though challenges remain in broader access to these medications.
