Generation Z is becoming the Ozempic generation.
A new survey reveals that many young Americans plan to rely on weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wigovy to help them reach their goals.
More than a quarter of Americans consider these drugs as part of their weight loss strategy. According to Tebraa digital healthcare platform.
Getty Images
This trend is especially noticeable among the younger generation.
Gen Z is leading the charge, with 37% planning to quit the gym to take GLP-1 drugs over the counter to reach their weight loss goals next year.
In addition to generational disparities, there are also gender disparities.
Women are more likely than men to choose these drugs, with 30% of women saying they become dependent on these drugs compared to 20% of men. Women also have higher weight loss goals, aiming to lose an average of 23 pounds, while men plan to lose 19 pounds.
This disparity is not surprising, since women have consistently been more likely than men to report being overweight since 1999. According to GallupAnd they are generally exposed to more judgment about their bodies than men.
Getty Images
Despite the increased interest and apparent common use of these drugs, many Americans still consider them expensive and out of reach. In fact, 64% of people interested in using them cite cost as their top concern, followed by concerns about side effects (59%).
These weight loss drugs, originally intended to treat type 2 diabetes, cost thousands of dollars and come with a long list of potentially dangerous side effects, even death, but the majority (86%) says the benefits are worth the risks.
That’s probably why 66% of Americans now believe these medications are more effective than traditional weight loss methods like diet and exercise.
And while Generation Z is most interested in taking these drugs, older generations are actually more confident in their effectiveness.
Baby boomers are the most convinced, with 72% believing these drugs are more effective than traditional methods. Gen X follows closely at 70%, while Millennials and Gen Z are less certain. There’s also another notable gender difference: 75% of women believe in their effectiveness, compared to 53% of men.
Alone – Stock.adobe.com
As more people are tempted to use these drugs for weight loss, some turn to dangerous methods, such as purchasing counterfeit drugs or using them without the guidance of a medical professional.
Concerns about addiction and appropriate medical guidance remain major barriers to uptake.
The growing popularity of GLP-1 drugs may be related to the frustration many people feel when they repeatedly fail to reach their weight loss goals. Almost half of Americans have given up on their New Year’s resolutions in the past, some as early as February, and many people have given up on their New Year’s resolutions.
Despite their potential health benefits and seemingly endless praise of their results online, all GLP-1 drugs should only be used by individuals prescribed by a medical professional.
