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America’s obesity rate is decliningA new Gallup poll published Tuesday shows that use of the popular GLP-1 class of diabetes and weight-loss drugs has declined by nearly three percent.
7.6 million fewer American adults are now living with obesity than three years ago, Gallup’s survey of nearly 17,000 adults found,
The findings come after the country’s obesity rate is set to reach a record high of 39.9 percent in 2022. The global analytics and advisory company said it also fell to 37 percent.
2020 federal data shows over 100 million American adults are living with chronic conditions that are linked to stroke, cancer and more more than 40 diseases,
Gallup assessed respondents’ obesity using body mass index, a measurement doctors have said is archaic and inaccurate and a recent analysis says A major decline in obesity in America is revealed
But even relying on the measurement, experts warned that the number of Americans living with obesity or considered overweight would increase. almost triple by 2050 Without “immediate action” to reverse the trends.
Enter: Ozempic and other drugs made with the active ingredient semaglutide.
They have helped Americans lose dozens of pounds in just a few months.
Use of injection – pills are on the way That has more than doubled since the beginning of last year, Gallup said. And the age groups with the highest rates of drug use also saw the greatest reductions in obesity rates.
Now, 12.4 percent of adults – the majority of whom are women – report taking medications specifically for weight loss, compared to just 5.8 percent in February last year.
Both men and women’s use of the drug more than doubled last year as awareness about the drug increased across the country.
Whether U.S. obesity rates continue to decline may depend on expanded access to shots, Gallup said.
Gallup said, “Expanding access to these treatments may be an important factor in determining whether the current decline in obesity becomes a permanent trend, as US obesity rates remain very high by historical standards despite recent declines.”
Currently, 13 states cover GLP-1 for the treatment of obesity under Medicaid, according to the health policy nonprofit KFF,
Gallup also highlighted that although obesity rates have declined, the diagnosis of diabetes has reached an all-time high at 13.8 percent of respondents.
Gallup said, “Only if the rate of new cases of diabetes begins to decline will the U.S. rate eventually decline….” “Continued health progress will depend not only on medical innovation but also on rebuilding healthy daily routines that complement medicinal treatments.”