3 million Canadians use GLP-1 drugs. Survey says that's changing their appetites — and habits
CBC
A new survey suggests about three million Canadian adults are currently taking GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic or Mounjaro and that many more would like to, but cost is a barrier.
The poll conducted by Leger Healthcare says more than half of the people surveyed who are taking the medications reported decreased appetite and 40 per cent said they have fewer food cravings.
Leger Healthcare said those effects are reshaping how GLP-1 users are spending their money, with about 30 per cent going to restaurants or getting takeout food less often.
The survey released Tuesday said about a third of them are buying more fresh fruits, vegetables and protein-rich foods.
It said weight loss is the No. 1 reason people are taking or considering taking GLP-1 medications, followed by diabetes. Twenty-two per cent said they wanted to take a GLP-1 for their heart health. Men were more likely to cite this reason than women.
Eight per cent of the respondents said they were taking a prescription GLP-1 medication. Using 2025 adult population statistics, Leger Healthcare extrapolated that would equal about three million Canadian adults.
Similarly, six per cent of respondents said they were interested in taking a GLP-1 but weren't. The researchers extrapolated that would translate to more than two million Canadian adults.
GLP-1 use was even higher in the U.S., the survey said, with 11 per cent of Americans surveyed saying they take the medication.
The survey suggested Americans were twice as likely as Canadians to want to take the medications, with 12 per cent of those surveyed expressing interest.
More than half of people interested in taking the medication in Canada said having insurance coverage or lower-cost generic options would affect their decision.
"GLP-1s are no longer a niche health topic. They're a mainstream consumer and health-care story," Melicent Lavers-Sailly, vice-president of research at Leger Healthcare, said in an interview.
"What the research found is that the impact of GLP-1s is showing up in shopping baskets and behaviours, not just prescriptions."
In addition to not going to restaurants as often, about 35 per cent of people taking the medications said they order smaller portions than they used to, choose "lighter or healthier options," or don't finish their whole meal.
Thirty-six per cent said they have decreased their alcohol consumption.
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