The Metabolic Revolution: Living With Type 2 Diabetes in the GLP-1 Era
GLP-1 drugs are now considered one of the most impactful tools for people living with type 2 diabetes striving to reach their A1C goal, lower their body weight, and improve their metabolic health.
Despite their effectiveness, these drugs aren’t without their challenges or concerns, reveals a new Everyday Health survey of 501 people living with type 2 diabetes.
According to the survey, some people with diabetes feel they need more information on topics like side effects and lifestyle habits.
Survey respondents also reported feeling stigma when taking GLP-1s — and certain groups were more vulnerable to these negative feelings than others.
Check out the key findings from the survey as well as expert advice for people with type 2 diabetes.
Source: Everyday Health Type 2 Diabetes/GLP-1 online survey, August 5–13, 2026
Treatment Satisfaction
Overall, people living with type 2 diabetes report high satisfaction with GLP-1 drugs — they report perks like an improved A1C, weight loss, and better sleep compared to those who don’t use the drug. The average weight loss among current GLP-1 users was 29 pounds.
86%
lost weight
78%
are satisfied with their treatment
67%
have started/stopped GLP-1 use at least once
A few factors play a role in just how satisfied they are. For example, the survey found that the longer someone has been diagnosed with diabetes or the younger they are (Gen Z, millennials), the higher their satisfaction with GLP-1s is. Yet older generations (baby boomers, Gen X) were more likely to have never stopped and started a GLP-1, whereas Gen Z was the most likely generation to do so.
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Is A GLP-1 Right For Me If I Have Type 2 Diabetes?
The Generational Divide
Generational differences appear throughout the survey results. Younger generations (millennials, Gen Z) with type 2 diabetes were more likely to experience GLP-1 stigma and report mental health issues, including anxiety. Gen X and baby boomers were the most open about their GLP-1 usage and the least likely to experience mood changes.
Compared to older generations, younger people also experienced more side effects from GLP-1s and disruptions to access to the drugs, including delaying filling a prescription or skipping doses, the survey found.
47%
Gen Z reported the most anxiety or mood changes
45%
Gen X most likely to have never stopped/started a GLP-1
45%
Millennials most concerned about GLP-1 safety and side effects
Unsurprisingly, millennials and Gen Z reported the most trust in digital resources, including pharmaceutical and healthcare websites, AI, and social media. Meanwhile, trust in primary care doctors and endocrinologists for type 2 diabetes management information increased with age: baby boomers and Gen X reported the highest percentages of trust in healthcare professionals in the survey.
Younger adults [...] may be more likely to view GLP-1 medications primarily as weight loss drugs rather than treatments for a chronic metabolic disease.
Stigma
A majority of people with type 2 diabetes who have taken or are currently taking a GLP-1 reported feeling stigma. Younger and newly diagnosed respondents tended to report more GLP-1 stigma, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) respondents were more likely than white respondents to report certain forms of it, such as judgment and a need to explain themselves.
Some people reported feeling they had to justify their choice to take a GLP-1, or that they felt others believed they “took the easy way out” by choosing to use a GLP-1 to treat type 2 diabetes.
64%
of current and 62% of past GLP-1 users experienced stigma
55%
Seasoned patients least likely to experience GLP-1 stigma
69%
baby boomers most likely to report no stigma
Have you experienced judgment or negative comments because you take a GLP-1 medication?
Side Effects and Concerns
People taking a GLP-1 for type 2 diabetes said they wanted more information about the health effects of GLP-1s beyond weight, guidance on managing long-term side effects, and how to sustain their results after stopping the drugs.
More than one-third of current or past users reported side effects — diarrhea or constipation were among the most common. Women were more likely than men to report side effects, and younger generations were more likely than older generations to report them.
Respondents with type 2 diabetes who stopped taking a GLP-1 cited cost or insurance problems, severe side effects, or disliking the injection process.
60%
worry about weight regain
44%
worry about the drug’s impact beyond weight
40%
want help managing long-term side effects
35%
seek maintenance strategies after stopping
Aside from GLP-1-related challenges, respondents said that managing stress, getting enough sleep, exercising consistently, and following a healthy diet were the most difficult lifestyle habits to maintain.
Managing stress, getting adequate sleep, and staying physically active can complement GLP-1 treatment.
This vs. That: What Would You Give Up?
50% Waking up at an ideal weight
50% Being debt-free
65% Perfect health
35% A perfect relationship
69% A guaranteed cure for type 2 diabetes
31% A guaranteed college education for your
— Everyday Health Type 2 Diabetes/GLP-1 online survey, August 5–13, 2026
Living with any chronic disease affects your life every day. To better understand its impact, the survey asked respondents to choose one outcome over another for topics such as love, financial health, and personal health.
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Anna L. Goldman, MD
Medical Reviewer
Anna L. Goldman, MD, is a board-certified endocrinologist. She teaches first year medical students at Harvard Medical School and practices general endocrinology in Boston.
Dr. Goldm...
Melinda Carstensen
Author
Melinda Carstensen is an award-winning reporter, copywriter, and editor who specializes in health and wellness media. She joined Everyday Health in 2017 and is an editorial directo...