FDA approval of semaglutide (Wegovy) for weight management led to a sharp increase in GLP-1 drug use, with women utilizing them at 2.7× the rate of men by January 2024.
2.68× gender gapBy January 2024, women used GLP-1 drugs at nearly triple the rate of men in the US
What the researchers found
By January 2024, the female-to-male GLP-1RA utilization rate ratio reached 2.68 for adults (163.06 vs 60.84 per 10,000), with Wegovy showing the largest gap at 4.03:1 (57.86 vs 14.37 per 10,000).
Why it matters
Understanding who uses GLP-1 drugs helps identify access disparities and inform public health strategies. The gender gap raises questions about whether men are undertreated for obesity or whether marketing and social factors drive differential uptake.
How the study worked
Interrupted time series analysis using 2019-2024 MarketScan commercial claims data, with segmented regression comparing utilization trends 30 months before and 31 months after Wegovy FDA approval.
What this study cannot tell us
Limited to commercially insured patients; may not reflect Medicaid or uninsured populations. Cannot determine clinical appropriateness of prescribing. Does not capture reasons for the gender gap (patient demand vs provider behavior vs marketing).
How to read the evidence
Large population-based claims analysis using interrupted time series methodology — strong observational design for tracking utilization trends.
When this study was published
Published in 2025 using data through 2024, capturing the most current GLP-1 prescribing trends.
The bigger picture
The rapid growth and gender disparity in GLP-1 drug utilization reflects broader societal patterns around weight management, healthcare-seeking behavior, and pharmaceutical marketing that warrant attention from public health policymakers.
Questions still open
- Are men with obesity being undertreated because they are less likely to seek GLP-1 prescriptions?
- How do social media, marketing, and cultural factors contribute to the gender gap in GLP-1 utilization?
- Will the gender disparity narrow as GLP-1 drugs become more established for weight management?
Common questions
Why do more women than men use GLP-1 weight loss drugs?
How big is the gender gap in GLP-1 drug use?
Read the original research
Sex-specific changes in GLP-1RA trends (2019-2024): Impact of FDA approval of semaglutide (Wegovy) for chronic weight management in the United States.
Diabetes, obesity & metabolism
Citation
Daggolu, Jerusha; Chen, Hua. (2026). Sex-specific changes in GLP-1RA trends (2019-2024): Impact of FDA approval of semaglutide (Wegovy) for chronic weight management in the United States.. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.70555