Ozempic is not just a weight-loss story anymore
Just last month, I marked my 25th year as a professional journalist, which I guess means my journalistic career is old enough to rent a car, no questions asked. Work in the news for that long, and you’ll occasionally find yourself surprised by things you published in the past. Like, I had all but forgotten […]
In July, a Gallup report revealed a significant drop in the US adult obesity rate, falling to 36.4 percent from a peak of 39.9 percent in 2022. During the same period, the percentage of adults taking GLP-1 drugs for weight loss surged from 3 percent in 2024 to 11 percent in 2026, affecting approximately 29 million people. While this correlation cannot confirm causation, the timing of the report suggests a possible link.
The drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, were initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes, but their side effects have proven to be remarkable. For instance, GLP-1s have been linked to a significant reduction in sleep apnea incidence, kidney failure, liver inflammation, knee osteoarthritis pain, and major cardiovascular events in overweight or obese individuals without diabetes.
These findings, though not as sensational as the cultural debates surrounding "Ozempic face," warrant greater attention, as medicine frequently discovers its most impactful treatments in unexpected ways.
Written by urgent.news from Vox's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
