As much as artificial intelligence is transforming the way people work, GLP-1 drugs are having a major effect on the way people manage their body weight for healthier living. This effect has wide-ranging implications for brands as people’s food-consumption and shopping habits change.
Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have surged in popularity as weight-loss treatments, spurring a wider cultural conversation. Social media platforms are flooded with commentary about these medications, with more than 5 million online mentions recorded between April 2023 and October 2024, according to Foresight Factory and Brandwatch.
A recent study by Dentsu, surveying 1,000 U.S. consumers, highlights how mainstream GLP-1 awareness has become. The findings show that 57% of respondents are at least somewhat familiar with these medications, while another 32% have heard of them — meaning nearly 90% of Americans are now aware of GLP-1 drugs and their uses.