Survey Shows Americans Prefer Diet Changes Over Weight-Loss Injections

A recent national survey indicates that despite the heavy promotion of new weight-loss injectables like Wegovy and Ozempic, the majority of Americans are not interested in using them. The survey, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), gathered responses from 2,205 adults across the U.S. on September 5, 2024.

The results show that only 23% of respondents were open to taking injectable drugs for weight loss. In contrast, 62% disagreed or strongly disagreed with the idea of using these medications, preferring other methods like dietary changes. Additionally, 14% of participants said they were not concerned about losing weight. Among those specifically looking to shed pounds, 73% expressed a preference for alternatives to weight-loss injections.

The survey’s findings align with data showing that most people who start these drugs do not stick with them. An August report from Prime Therapeutics, a Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate, revealed that less than half of users continued the treatment after six months, with even fewer—less than one-third—still using it after a year. These insights were published in the Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy.

Dr. Neal D. Barnard, president of PCRM, emphasized that the results do not suggest a lack of interest in weight loss but rather a preference for lifestyle changes over medical injections. “The new findings do not mean that Americans do not want to lose weight; rather, most would prefer to change their eating habits than inject a medication,” Barnard explained.

In addition, the survey uncovered a strong interest in plant-based diets. About two-thirds of respondents were willing to try plant-based eating if it could lead to significant weight loss. Specifically, 68% of individuals wanting to lose weight agreed they would consider a plant-based diet, even if only temporarily.

Supporting this interest in plant-based nutrition, research published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that a vegan diet outperforms the Mediterranean diet in terms of weight loss and other health metrics. The study, which involved a randomized crossover trial, demonstrated that a low-fat vegan diet led to better outcomes in body weight, composition, insulin sensitivity, and cholesterol levels compared to the Mediterranean diet.

These findings suggest that, despite the availability of weight-loss injectables, many Americans are more inclined to pursue dietary changes as a healthier and more sustainable method of managing their weight.

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