GLP-1 use more common among people experiencing psychological distress

People experiencing psychological distress are more likely to use weight loss drugs, according to a new study by University College London (UCL) researchers.

The team looked at data from 5,260 people who were representative of the general population and who responded to a survey conducted in early 2025.

They found that 3.7% of those who reported moderate or severe psychological distress in the past month had used GLP-1s to support weight loss, compared to 2.4% of those reporting no or low distress.

The study also found that GLP-1 use was almost twice as common among women compared to men (4% vs 1.7%), and more common among people in middle age (4.2% of respondents aged 45-55).

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And while levels of use were similar across social grades, interest in using weight loss drugs in the future was higher among ‘more typically disadvantaged groups’. This suggests a demand currently unmet by private prescriptions, the study concludes.

An estimated 1.6 million adults in England, Scotland and Wales used GLP-1s to lose weight between early 2024 and early 2025.

‘This figure far exceeds the NHS England’s initial goal of prescribing these drugs to 220,000 people over three years,’ said lead author Sarah Jackson from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care.

She added: ‘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.

‘Good data is 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.’

Co-author, Professor Clare Llewellyn, said GLP-1s could play an important role in improving the health of the nation but that these findings ‘raise concerns about equity’ given the cost of the drugs.

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).

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Among those using medication for weight loss, about one in seven (15%) were using medication not licensed for this purpose, such as Rybelsus which is only licensed in the UK for type 2 diabetes.

Interest in using drugs to support future weight loss was reported by 6.5% of respondents who had not already used a GLP-1 in the past year – equivalent to 3.3 million people.

Director of health information at Cancer Research UK, Jo Harby, said that weight loss medication is not a ‘silver bullet’.

‘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,’ she added.

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Meanwhile, the GLP-1 market continues to expand; a new weight-loss pill became available in pharmacies across the US this week, and more oral weight loss medications are in development.

A version of this article first appeared on our sister title The Pharmacist.