Woman adjusting weight scale
Obesity is trending downward in the United States, according to Gallup. The analytics and public opinion polling company’s National Health and Well-Being Index indicates that after peaking at a record 39.9% in 2022, the obesity rate for adults dropped to 37.0% in 2025.
“This is a statistically meaningful decrease representing an estimated 7.6 million fewer obese adults compared with three years ago,” Gallup notes, before mentioning the bad news. “Meanwhile, diagnoses of diabetes — a lifetime disease that can be managed but not cured — have now reached an all-time high of 13.8%.”
Gallup’s most recent data is based on combined results from three nationally representative online surveys of nearly 17,000 adults during the first three quarters of the years.
“Gallup calculates obesity using the federal standard of having a body mass index of 30 or higher, while the diabetes rate includes both those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This is based on a question that asks U.S. adults, “Has a doctor or nurse ever told you that you have diabetes?” according to Gallup, which uses respondents’ self-reported height and weight to calculate BMI and subsequent weight classes. “A” ‘vanity effect’ in how respondents present themselves may explain why Gallup’s obesity estimates are typically somewhat lower than those obtained from studies that use randomized clinical measurements. However, because Gallup’s method of collecting self-reported weight and height has been consistent, the trend still provides valuable information regarding changes over time.”
Two other related Gallup findings:
- More American have begun using Type 2 antidiabetic GLP-1 drugs (especially ones with such brand names as Ozempic® and Wegovy®). The percentage of adults who report taking the weight loss medicine is 12.4%, up from 5.8% in February 2024. Additionally, more women (15.2%) than men (9.7%) use such medication.
- The biggest reduction in obesity occurred among individuals between the ages of 40 and 49 and 50 and 64 — which also, Gallup says, are the age groups with the highest usage rates of GLP-1 drugs. Obesity rates for the youngest and oldest adults are “essentially unchanged,” while the rate has fallen 2.2 points among 30- to 39-year-olds.
“Currently, 13 states fully cover GLP-1s for obesity treatment under Medicaid, and legislative efforts continue to target expanded coverage,” according to Gallup. “Expanding access to these treatments may be an important factor in determining whether the current decline in obesity becomes a lasting trend, since despite recent declines the U.S. obesity rate remains very high by historical standards.”
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