Public support for weight-loss drugs is rising through real-world relationships, not ads or online debates, according to new consumer data from Ro
You’ll probably notice it around the table this year.
A cousin piles a smaller portion on their plate. Someone skips seconds. The uncle who always attacks the stuffing first is suddenly full before anyone else. And there’s a moment of curiosity, maybe even a quick side glance.
Are they on one?
One, of course, being a GLP-1 like Ozempic or Wegovy. More Americans are answering yes (about one in eight adults, according to a new KFF Health Tracking Poll) and new data from telehealth provider Ro shows that the more people we personally know taking GLP-1s, the less radical the drugs feel.
In other words, weight loss medications aren’t being normalized through marketing; they’re being normalized within our inner circles.
Those who know someone on a GLP-1 tend to view the medications far more positively than those who don’t, Ro found. More than half the people who have a personal connection to someone on a GLP-1 say their opinion has improved over the last year, compared to 9% of people who don’t know anyone taking a weight loss drug.
It’s a pattern that shows up elsewhere in the data. Among people who describe GLP-1s as a “smart and effective” way to lose weight, 46% know someone taking one, compared with just 7% who don’t know anyone at all.
The same trend appears among those whose views have improved in the past year. Of the 51% of U.S. adults who feel more positive about GLP-1s, most have a personal connection to someone on the medication: 33% say they have a close friend taking one, 29% have a family member and 26% know a casual acquaintance. Only 9% say they don’t know anyone using a GLP-1.
The data comes from a survey of 2,782 U.S. adults conducted by the telehealth provider, including 782 Ro Body members who currently use prescription GLP-1 medications.
People Still Feel Judged for Taking GLP-1s
But even as GLP-1s become increasingly commonplace, not everyone feels equally comfortable admitting they’re on one.
Thirty-five percent of Millennials say they feel judged for using GLP-1 medications, versus 20% of Gen X and Boomers. Yet public opinion tells a different story: Gen Z is the most likely to call GLP-1s “smart and effective” (20% vs. 7% of Boomers), suggesting that fear of judgment doesn’t necessarily reflect reality.
Ro’s survey also suggests that the sensitivity Millennials feel may stem from how often they encounter the topic publicly, not from how others behave toward them personally. More than a third of Millennials say news and social media influenced their decision to share (or not share) that they’re taking a GLP-1.
It makes sense that some people may hesitate to disclose their use, as even celebrities who have spoken openly about being on a GLP-1 have faced backlash. For some users, sharing feels like a no-win choice. Stay quiet and you risk speculation, speak up and you risk critique. Most recently, singer Meghan Trainor said she received “evil” comments on social media about her appearance after taking Mounjaro as part of her health journey, pairing the medication with workouts and nutrition.
Can Celebs Make Weight-Loss Drugs Cool?
Still, Ro advisor Dr. Rachel Goldman says that media visibility can break stigma. When people see others share their experiences, especially publicly, treatment starts to feel more routine.
“This is why it’s great when celebrities and influencers share that they are taking GLP-1s and seeking professional medical help,” she said.
Meanwhile, older generations report little stigma in their real-world interactions. The majority (68%) of Boomers and 64% of Gen X respondents say they’ve never experienced judgment for using GLP-1s.
For its part, Ro has gone all in on that messaging, bringing one of the most recognizable athletes into the conversation: Serena Williams. The telehealth company partnered with the tennis icon this summer, and she has spoken publicly about using GLP-1 medication through Ro after struggling to lose weight postpartum.
In announcing the multi-year partnership, Williams emphasized that medication wasn’t a shortcut but a form of healthcare, a meaningful message from someone who has built her career on discipline and high-level training.
“I realized it wasn’t about willpower; it was biological,” she said. “My body needed the GLP-1 and clinical support.”
