An estimated 1.6 million adults in England, Wales and Scotland used weight loss drugs in the past year, new findings suggest. 

The study, led by researchers at University College London, showed 1.6 million adults used drugs including Wegovy and Mounjaro to help lose weight between early 2024 and early 2025. The findings also highlight an additional 3.3 million people were reportedly interested in using weight loss drugs over the next year. 

The study, published in BMC Medicine and funded by Cancer Research UK, looked at data from 5,260 people who were representative of the general population and who responded to a survey conducted in early 2025. Results indicate that use of weight loss drugs was twice as common among women compared to men and more common among people in middle age (aged 45-55), and those who reported psychological distress in the past month. 

The research team also found that levels of use were similar across social grades, but that interest in using drugs to support weight loss in future was greater among more typically disadvantaged groups, suggesting a demand not currently met by private prescriptions. 

“Our findings show that an estimated 4.9 million adults in Great Britain – nearly one in 10 – have recently used a drug to support weight loss or were interested in using one in the near future,” said UCL’s Professor Sarah Jackson, lead author on the study. 

“This usage far exceeds NHS England’s initial goal of prescribing these drugs to 220,000 people over three years. 

“We do not know about our survey respondents’ BMI or health conditions, so it is not clear how far this reflects a genuine medical need or how often the drugs are used unnecessarily by people of a healthy weight. 

“We hope to gather more detailed data in future, monitoring how trends change over time. Good data are important as large numbers of people are taking these drugs outside medical supervision and there is wide potential for misuse. NHS prescribing data only captures a small part of the picture.” 

Access to weight loss drugs not always equitable

For the study, researchers used data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, an ongoing survey that interviews a different sample of adults in England, Wales and Scotland each month, who are representative of the country’s general population. 

Survey participants aged 18 and over were asked about their use of five medications: Mounjaro (containing tirzepatide), Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus (all three containing semaglutide) and Saxenda (containing liraglutide). Four out of five respondents taking medication solely for weight reported using Mounjaro. 

Use of the medications to support weight loss was higher among women than men (4% vs 1.7%) and higher among those of middle age (4.2% of 45- and 55-year-olds compared to 1.2% of 18-year-olds and 1.5% of 75-year-olds). Prevalence was also higher among those who reported moderate or severe psychological distress in the past month (3.7% vs. 2.4% among those reporting no/low distress). 

Professor Clare Llewellyn, co-author on the study, said the findings highlight the use of GLP-1 agonists in “improving the health of the nation” but suggested the use of “off-label” drugs creates wider issues. 

“Our findings suggest many people are accessing these medications outside the NHS. This raises concerns about equity given the costs of these drugs, as well as the adequacy of supervision of treatment.” 

‘More research’ needed on impact of drugs

Interest in using drugs to support weight loss in future was reported by 6.5% of respondents who had not used a medication for weight loss in the past year (equivalent to 3.3 million).  

The report shows 9.7% of people aged 45 to 55 would likely consider using weight loss drugs in the next year, with nearly one in 10 women reporting the same. By contrast, only one in 20 men said they would likely consider using weight loss medications in the next year. 

Interest was also higher among people who had experienced moderate or severe psychological distress in the past month than those who had not reported psychological issues (10.0% vs. 5.2%). 

“As obesity rates rise in the UK, this study shows growing public interest in weight loss medication,” said Jo Harby, Director of Health Information at Cancer Research UK. 

“While these drugs can aid weight loss, they’re not a silver-bullet, as evidence suggests most people regain weight after treatment. 

“More research is needed on their long-term impact, how these drugs affect cancer risk, and how best to support people to maintain a healthy weight. These drugs should only be prescribed by healthcare professionals alongside continued care and advice on diet and activity. It’s also vital that everyone who needs it can access a range of weight-management support. 

“The world around us shapes our health, and the UK government must do more to create healthier environments for all.” 

Bruno Quinney, Content Team, DDW