Data & Statistics
GLP-1 & Ozempic Statistics 2026
6 verified statistics on the rise of GLP-1 medications — how many people use them, what happens to muscle mass, how much weight returns after stopping, and why movement is central to a lasting result. Every figure links to its original source.
Journalists & writers: these statistics are free to cite — see how to cite this page. Last updated 19 June 2026.
How Widespread GLP-1 Use Has Become
GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others) have moved from niche to mainstream in just a few years.
About 12% of adults report having used a GLP-1 medication, including 6% who say they are currently taking one — for weight loss, diabetes, or another condition.
Source: KFF Health Tracking Poll (May 2024) (2024)
In the STEP 1 trial of 1,961 adults, mean weight loss was 17.3% with once-weekly semaglutide versus 2.0% with placebo, alongside lifestyle support.
Source: Wilding et al., STEP 1 — Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism (2022)
The Body-Composition Cost
Rapid weight loss is not all fat. A meaningful share is lean tissue — and activity levels and weight can move in the wrong direction over time.
Across studies of 36–72 weeks, roughly a quarter to a third of total weight lost on GLP-1 therapy is lean body mass — though estimates vary widely by study and method, and some of the change is expected with any weight loss.
Source: Neeland et al. — Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism (2024)
Research reported that people taking GLP-1 weight-loss drugs reduced their physical activity — a concern, because muscle preservation depends on continued loading and movement.
Source: ScienceDaily (study summary) (2026)
In the STEP 1 trial extension, participants regained about two-thirds of their prior weight loss in the year after withdrawing semaglutide and lifestyle support — underscoring the need for a durable movement habit.
Source: Wilding et al., STEP 1 extension — Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism (2022)
Why Movement Matters
Structured, progressive exercise is the lever that protects lean mass and helps make weight loss last — during treatment and after it.
A 2024 clinical study found people who exercised while taking a GLP-1 kept weight off better and regained less after stopping than those who did not — pointing to structured movement as a key part of any plan.
Source: Medical News Today (study summary) (2025)
Turning the Data Into a Plan
The takeaway across the research is consistent: protect muscle and build a movement habit that outlasts the medication. That is exactly what the post-GLP-1 program is built around — and the free guides go deeper.
How to Cite This Page
These statistics are compiled by Pilates Protocols from the publicly available sources linked beside each figure. You are welcome to reference them in articles, reports, and research with attribution and a link back to this page. We always recommend citing the original primary source as well.
Pilates Protocols, "GLP-1 & Ozempic Statistics 2026", https://pilatesprotocols.com/glp1-ozempic-statistics/ For data, interviews, or press enquiries, contact [email protected].
Note. This page summarises published research for general information and is not medical advice. GLP-1 medications and any changes to exercise should be discussed with your prescribing clinician. Do not start, stop, or change medication based on this page.