For decades, America has battled one of the highest obesity rates in the world—but that tide might finally be turning.
Thanks to the growing popularity of powerful new weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, experts say the country could soon see one of the fastest declines in obesity globally.
And while this shift won’t happen overnight, fresh data shows the early signs are already here—and they’re promising.
A Small but Significant Drop in Obesity Has Already Begun
According to the CDC, the percentage of American adults considered obese has dropped from 42% to 40.3% over the past three years.
That might not sound like much at first glance, but it actually means 4.1 million people have moved out of the obese category during that time.
This trend could be just the beginning, with researchers now forecasting even more dramatic changes ahead.
Experts Predict Millions More Could Leave Obesity Behind
Researchers at the health company Treated believe the U.S. could see its obesity rate drop by an additional 10.6% over the next five years.
That translates to about 2.17 million people reversing their obesity status every single year between 2026 and 2030.
To put that in perspective, Europe—across 50 countries—is only expected to reduce its obesity rate by 6.6% during the same period, with about 786,000 people annually moving out of obesity.
Clearly, the U.S. is expected to lead this trend.
Weight Loss Medications Are Driving the Shift
So, what’s behind this sudden shift? According to researchers, the answer is clear: weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro.
These medications, which are typically taken as weekly injections, work by suppressing appetite, leading to significant and often rapid weight loss.
And Americans, it seems, have been quick to embrace them.
About one in eight U.S. adults—around 13%—have already tried a weight loss drug, compared to much lower rates in Europe. In Denmark, for example—the country where these drugs were first developed—just 1.5% of adults have used them.
Millions Are Expected to Be on Weight Loss Drugs by 2026
Treated’s analysis estimates that by early 2026, at least 2.86 million Americans will be actively using one of these medications. If that rate stays steady, the country could see a total of 10 million people reversing obesity by 2030.
In Europe, the numbers are far lower—994,000 people are expected to be on weight loss drugs by 2026, leading to 3.93 million people exiting obesity by 2030.
A Major Impact on Public Health—But Not Without Caution
Doctors are cautiously optimistic. Dr. Daniel Atkinson, Treated’s clinical lead, noted that we may be witnessing a turning point:
“It’s possible we’ve seen obesity hit its peak. We might now have more people leaving obesity than entering it.”
That shift could mean a huge reduction in type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers.
But experts are also warning that we can’t get ahead of ourselves just yet.
Long-Term Results Still Depend on the Individual
While these medications are powerful tools, they aren’t magic bullets.
Research has shown that many people regain the weight they lost after stopping the medication.
Without lifestyle changes, weight loss may not be sustainable for everyone.
And then there’s the issue of side effects.
The Darker Side of Weight Loss Drugs
Though many patients have reported success with drugs like Ozempic, others have had a less pleasant experience.
Some common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
In more serious cases, patients have reported conditions like pancreatitis, stomach paralysis, and even blindness.
There have also been a few **deaths linked
