GLP-1 Drug Users Cut 500 Daily Calories as Adoption Widens, BTIG Survey Shows

Users of popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications are reducing their daily caloric intake by an average of 500 calories, according to a new survey from BTIG. The research also highlights a significant demographic shift in adoption, with a growing number of younger and lower-income consumers now using the drugs.

Demographic Adoption Broadens

BTIG's third semiannual survey of 1,000 GLP-1 users reveals a significant expansion of the user base, which the firm attributes to rising insurance coverage. The survey found 61% of respondents now have insurance for the medications, a factor likely driving wider access.

Key demographic shifts noted in the report include:

• Users earning less than $50,000 annually now represent 51% of respondents, up from 34% in September 2025.
• The share of users under the age of 35 increased to 35% from 26% over the same period.
• Conversely, users aged 65 and older declined to just 5% of the total, down from 14%.

The survey also found an influx of new patients, with 36% of respondents having used the medications for three months or less, an 11-percentage-point increase from the prior year's survey.

Impact on Consumption Habits

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The reported 500-calorie daily reduction is a key finding with broad implications for the consumer sector. BTIG noted this figure is consistent with observations from medical experts that patients on these treatments often eliminate the equivalent of about one meal per day.

According to the survey, users cut back most significantly on non-essential categories. The largest reductions were reported in the consumption of snacks, alcohol, and soda.

What This Means for Markets

The findings provide crucial data for investors monitoring the ripple effects of GLP-1 drugs, which include blockbuster treatments from manufacturers like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. The broadening user base suggests an expanding total addressable market for these therapies.

Furthermore, the documented changes in consumption habits could signal continued headwinds for certain food and beverage companies. The shift in user tenure, with a higher proportion of new users, is also a key variable for analysts modeling future market growth and long-term patient retention.