(NewsNation) — With 40% of Americans considered obese, drugs designed to aid in weight loss like Ozempic and Wegovy have created mixed feelings among the general public, including beliefs that the medications could be harmful to users trying to shed some pounds, new data shows.
Three-quarters of U.S. residents say they have some familiarity with the two weight-loss drugs, according to data from Pew Research. Of those who say they are familiar with Ozempic and Wegovy, 53% believe that the two drugs are good options for those suffering from obesity or other health conditions caused by being overweight.
Just 19% of adults polled by Pew believe the drugs are not helpful to those looking to lose weight while 28% said they’re not sure about the drug’s benefits.
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention reports that 4 in 10 Americans are considered obese and that the number of Americans struggling with obesity has increased significantly over the past 20 years. The CDC reports that obesity can lead to premature death, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic and Wegovy are part of a class of drugs that are designed to manage blood sugar levels and suppress appetite. Ozempic has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating diabetes while Wegovy has been approved for people carrying excess weight who also live with weight-related health issues.
Only 12% of those polled by Pew said that the two drugs are beneficial for those who want to lose weight but do not suffer from weight-related health issues. Meanwhile, 62% of those who are familiar with the products believe Ozempic and Wegovy are not good options for those who are not dealing with health issues linked to their weight.
Another 26% of respondents say they’re not sure.
Adults who participated in the Pew polling also carry modest expectations about the drugs’ long-term benefits to users. Only 16% of respondents believe the drugs will do a great deal or quite a bit to help reduce obesity. Meanwhile, 33% insist the two drugs will do nothing or not much to help limit obesity while another 35% believe the drugs can have some impact on users’ weight.