A nationally representative survey estimates that millions of adults in Great Britain have already used GLP-1-based weight-loss medicines or would consider weight-loss medication, highlighting growing demand and raising important questions about equitable access, appropriate use, and long-term healthcare planning.
Study: Prevalence of use and interest in using glucagon‑like peptide‑1 receptor agonists for weight loss: a population study in Great Britain. Image credit: KaterynaBorodina/Shutterstock.com
Nearly 4.9 million adults in Great Britain have used a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist or a GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) medication for weight loss, or are interested in using weight-loss medication, according to a nationally representative household survey published in BMC Medicine.
Britain's growing demand for GLP-1 medicines
The prevalence of obesity and related chronic diseases is high in Great Britain, putting a significant burden on the National Health Service (NHS). Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agents (GLP-1/GIP medications) have shown promising outcomes in managing obesity.
Although originally developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, these medicines have shown high efficacy in reducing body weight, at least during treatment, triggering substantial public interest worldwide. In Great Britain, however, the current prevalence of GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP medication usage remains largely unknown.
Public interest in using GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP medications for weight loss is growing rapidly in several countries, including the US and UK. This rising public interest has generated potential supply challenges and raised concerns about the misuse of these medications outside of licensed indications.
Given the rising public interest, supply challenges, and safety concerns, researchers at University College London, UK, conducted a nationally representative cross-sectional household survey between January and March, 2025 to explore the current prevalence of GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP medication use and the public interest in using these medications for weight loss in Great Britain.
Women and mid-life adults show highest demand
A total of 5,893 adults were invited to complete the GLP-1 survey module, of whom 5,260 consented. Of participants, 4.5% reported using GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP medications in the past year for any reason. About 2.9% of survey participants reported using these medications for weight management, with 1.7% using them exclusively for weight reduction.
These percentages corresponded to approximately 1.6 million adults in Great Britain who have used these medications for weight management in the past year, with 910,000 adults using them exclusively for weight loss.
Among participants who used these medications for weight management in the past year, about 85% reported using medications licensed for weight loss in Great Britain. This percentage was 91% among participants who used these medications exclusively for weight loss. The most commonly reported medication was Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which is a GLP-1/GIP medication.
Among participants who had not used any weight-management medication in the past year, about 6.5% said they would be likely to consider using weight-loss medication in the next year. This percentage corresponded to approximately 3.3 million adults in Great Britain.
Some subgroup differences were observed in the survey regarding the prevalence of GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP medication use and interest in using weight-loss medication. Both usage and interest were more prevalent among women, middle-aged individuals, and those reporting past-month psychological distress. Interest was also higher among people experiencing greater financial hardship or who were not in paid work because of long-term illness or disability, although overall use was similar across socioeconomic groups.
Unlicensed medication use raises safety and oversight questions
The survey suggests that nearly one in ten adults in Great Britain either has used a GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP medication for weight management or is interested in considering weight-loss medication in the near future. Together, the high prevalence of current use and even greater interest point to growing demand for pharmacological approaches to weight management.
Use of these medications and interest in future treatment were both higher among women, which may reflect a combination of factors, including the higher prevalence of severe obesity among women, greater societal pressure surrounding body image, differences in healthcare-seeking behavior, and higher engagement with health and weight management services.
Although medication use was broadly similar across socioeconomic groups, interest in future use was particularly high among people experiencing financial hardship or long-term illness-related work inactivity. This gap between interest and current use highlights the importance of ensuring equitable access to treatment for populations that may face greater barriers to care.
The researchers also observed higher use of, and interest in, weight-loss medications among participants experiencing psychological distress and those with a history of eating disorders. These patterns may reflect the well-established bidirectional relationship between obesity and mental health, as well as factors such as weight-related stigma, body shame, and disordered eating behaviors. However, the researchers caution that the findings relating to eating disorders should be interpreted carefully because relatively few participants reported a diagnosis, and these data were collected during only one survey wave.
The survey also found that about 15% of participants who used GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP medications for weight management reported taking products not licensed for weight loss. Although this could reflect off-label prescribing or access through non-medical channels, the survey did not collect sufficient information to determine how these medications were obtained or whether their use met licensed indications or clinical eligibility criteria. Nevertheless, the finding raises important questions about prescribing practices, patient understanding, and regulatory oversight.
Population surveillance needed as demand continues to grow
Overall, the findings indicate substantial demand for GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP medications for weight management in Great Britain. The researchers emphasize the need to ensure equitable access to these treatments while continuing to monitor their appropriate use, safety, and long-term health outcomes at the population level.
They also note that the findings are based on self-reported, cross-sectional survey data and therefore cannot determine whether factors such as psychological distress or socioeconomic circumstances directly influence medication use or interest. Further population-level monitoring will be important to guide healthcare policy and ensure these medications deliver sustainable benefits without widening health inequalities.
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