EMPOWERED CONSUMERS LEAD THE OBESITY MARKET

New Ipsos data highlight evolving stakeholder dynamics…

The rise of the empowered healthcare consumer is well-documented, but nowhere is the shift more evident than in today’s obesity market …

With unprecedented media attention on GLP-1s, and weight loss a common health objective (and hot-button issue in general), demand for these novel anti-obesity meds is high. Given limited insurance coverage for these treatments, however, obesity remains a largely out-of-pocket market – making consumers a key customer for manufacturers and marketers of GLP-1s. Understanding these consumers’ needs, experiences, attitudes and behaviour is therefore business-critical. Read on for new consumer, patient and physician insights from Ipsos’ Obesity & Cardiometabolic Disease Monitors…

THE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT JOURNEY: Consumers take control

Data from Ipsos’ Consumer Obesity Monitor indicate an unprecedented number of US consumers taking action on weight management.

Of the 4,200 US adults surveyed by Ipsos in Q4 2024…

have taken action to manage their weight in the past six months.

have subscribed to an online weight-loss program/app (a small but significant percentage, likely to grow in the near future).

have consulted a healthcare professional (HCP) to help them manage their weight in this timeframe

And of those who sought professional advice…

0%

Were concerned about developing condition(s) / worsening existing condition(s)

0%

Wanted professional advice about losing weight

Source: Ipsos Consumer Obesity Monitor, 4,200 consumers in US providing perceptions online in Q4 2024. Data are © Ipsos 2025, all rights reserved.

TREATMENT SELECTION: Active participation continues

We’ve also seen a marked increase in the patient’s role in treatment selection. Our latest real-world treatment data suggest that connecting with a professional is only the start. Sampled US HCPs (who are managing patients on an anti-obesity treatment for overweight/obesity) increasingly cite "patient asked for the specific GLP-1 they received" when explaining why reported patients are receiving a certain medication.

"Patient asked for the specific GLP-1 they received”

Q4 2023 (n = 430 patients)

0%

Q4 2024 (n = 509 patients)

0%

Source: Ipsos Obesity & Cardiometabolic Disease Therapy Monitor. HCPs in US providing de-identified treatment data, online, on patients taking an anti-obesity medication to treat overweight/obesity). Data are Ipsos 2025, all rights reserved.

TREATMENT ADHERENCE: Consumers are following professionals' advice

Our data suggest that, having sought professional advice, consumers/patients are following it too – and to quite an impressive degree…

0%

…of those who received a recommendation from a healthcare professional they’d consulted about weight management adhered to their recommendations.

Source: Ipsos Consumer Obesity Monitor. 1441 consumers in US who received a recommendation from an HCP in the past 6 months providing perceptions online in Q4 2024. Data are © Ipsos 2025, all rights reserved.

CONCLUSION: Tackling obesity requires collaboration

The landscape of weight management is evolving, with patients leading the charge. Their active involvement underscores their critical role in shaping health outcomes. At the same time, we are seeing a commitment to following professional advice, which is pivotal to achieving successful health outcomes. As the industry adapts to this new reality, a collaborative approach that both fosters patient engagement and supports their journeys is the key to long-term success in tackling obesity.


To learn more about Ipsos’ Obesity & Cardiometabolic Disease Monitor Portfolio – or to discuss your specific needs – just contact Ramya.Logendra@ipsos.com.

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