Three million Canadians use GLP-1 medications. Survey says this is changing their appetite and habits
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A new survey shows that nearly three million Canadian adults are currently taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic or Monjaro and many more would like to, but cost is a barrier.
The survey, conducted by Leger Healthcare, said that more than half of the people surveyed who are taking the drugs reported a reduced appetite and 40 percent said they had less desire to eat.
Leger Healthcare said these effects are reshaping the way GLP-1 users spend their money, with about 30 percent going to restaurants or taking out food less often.
The survey released on Tuesday said nearly a third of them are buying more fresh fruits, vegetables and protein-rich foods.
It says weight loss is the No. 1 reason people are taking or considering taking GLP-1 drugs, followed by diabetes. Twenty-two percent said they wanted to take GLP-1 for their heart health. Men were more likely to cite this reason than women.
Eight percent of respondents said they were taking a prescription GLP-1 medication. Using 2025 adult population data, Léger Healthcare estimated this would equate to approximately three million Canadian adults.
Similarly, six percent of respondents said they were interested in taking GLP-1, but were not. The researchers concluded that this would translate to more than two million Canadian adults.
Researchers say that people who quit popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic start gaining weight rapidly. A new report found that people who left the program lost just over a pound per month, and were estimated to return to their original weight within about two years.
The survey noted that GLP-1 use in the US was even higher, with 11 percent of Americans surveyed saying they take the drug.
The survey showed that Americans were twice as likely as Canadians to want to take the drugs, with 12 percent of those surveyed expressing interest.
More than half of people interested in taking the drug in Canada said that insurance coverage or low-cost generic options would influence their decision.
“GLP-1s are no longer a niche health topic. They are a mainstream consumer and health care story,” Melicent Lavers-Celli, vice president of research for Leger Healthcare, said in an interview.
“The research found that the effects of GLP-1s are visible not only on prescriptions, but also on shopping baskets and behavior.”
In addition to not going to restaurants as often, about 35 percent of people taking the drugs said they ordered smaller portions than before, chose “lighter or healthier options,” or did not finish their entire meal.
Thirty-six percent said they had reduced their alcohol consumption.
What are the benefits and side effects of semaglutides or GLP1, the group of drugs commonly known as Ozempic, Monzaro or Vegovy, on the human metabolic system? Endocrinologist Dr. Jordana Cappeluto is an expert in the management of obesity and metabolic diseases at UBC and spoke with CBC’s Dan Burritt about how the medications work and what to look for.
Canadians are changing habits
The survey said that with increased spending on clothing, personal care products, beauty services and fitness, GLP-1 use is also changing what people buy outside the grocery store.
Although lack of insurance coverage and cost were barriers for about half of the respondents interested in taking GLP-1s, another 36 percent said they would take the drug if the risk of side-effects was lower.
Some people experience gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea.
More serious complications can include inflammation of the gallbladder and pancreatitis, but doctors say most side effects are minor.
The survey found that a quarter of respondents taking GLP-1 drugs were paying for the drugs — which can cost hundreds of dollars per month — entirely out of pocket.
For 28 percent of them, medication was fully covered by private or public insurance plans. About half said they had partial insurance coverage.
Leger Healthcare conducted the online survey with 1,536 Canadians and 1,012 Americans aged 18 and older between February 6 and 9.
CBC News cannot accurately calculate the margin of error for its methodology with online surveys. For comparison purposes only, a probability sampling of the Canadian sample (1,540) would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.49 percent 19 out of 20, and a probability sampling of the American sample (1,536) would yield a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent 19 out of 20.
The Canadian Press health coverage is supported through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
