BTIG Survey: GLP-1 Users Cut 500 Calories Daily as Adoption Shifts

GLP-1 weight-loss drug users are cutting an average of 500 calories from their daily diets, driven by a surge in adoption among younger and lower-income consumers, according to a BTIG survey. The findings highlight changing consumer habits and broader demographic reach for anti-obesity medications as manufacturers scale production.

Dietary Reductions and Demographic Shifts

The third semiannual survey of 1,000 GLP-1 users conducted by investment banking firm BTIG reveals that respondents primarily reduce their caloric intake by cutting out snacks, alcohol, and sugary drinks such as soda. This dietary contraction reflects the physiological appetite-suppressing mechanisms of GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic gut hormones to signal satiety and slow stomach emptying.

These reductions coincide with notable shifts in the user base. According to the BTIG report, 51% of surveyed GLP-1 users now earn less than $50,000 annually, marking a sharp increase from 34% in September 2025. Simultaneously, adoption among consumers under 35 years old rose to 35%, up from 26% over the same period.

Age Distribution and Insurance Coverage

While younger cohorts expanded their share of usage, older demographics contracted. Users aged 65 and older declined to 5% of respondents, down from 14%. Meanwhile, middle-aged users between 35 and 64 remained steady, accounting for 60% of the survey base.

Financial arrangements for acquiring the medications also show distinct patterns across income levels. Overall, 61% of respondents reported having insurance coverage for their treatments. However, higher-income users proved more likely to self-pay for the drugs, with 44% funding out-of-pocket compared to 37% of lower-income users.

What Changing Demographics Mean for Markets

The broadening of GLP-1 adoption across lower-income and younger demographics points to widening societal integration of weight-loss treatments despite high list prices. As consumer behavior shifts to eliminate discretionary categories like snacks and alcohol, food and beverage producers face sustained pressure to adapt product portfolios to structurally lower caloric demand among a growing segment of the population.