Survey shows millions cutting food spend as costly weight-loss drugs strain benefits budgets
About three million Canadian adults are already on GLP‑1 drugs – and many more want in but can’t afford them.
Leger Healthcare’s online survey found that eight percent of respondents were taking prescription GLP‑1 medications such as Ozempic or Mounjaro.
Using 2025 adult population data, Leger Healthcare extrapolated that to about three million adults.
Another six percent said they wanted to take a GLP‑1 but were not doing so, which the researchers estimated at more than two million adults.
Among people taking or considering GLP‑1s, 58 percent said weight loss was their main reason and 42 percent cited diabetes.
Twenty‑two percent wanted the drugs for heart health, with men more likely than women to give that reason.
Cost and coverage emerged as major constraints.
The survey found that a quarter of people on GLP‑1s paid entirely out of pocket, even though the drugs can cost hundreds of dollars a month.
For 28 percent, private or public insurance plans fully covered their prescriptions, while almost half reported partial coverage.
More than half of those interested in taking a GLP‑1 said insurance coverage or lower‑cost generic options would affect their decision.
Side‑effects also shaped demand. Thirty‑six percent of respondents who wanted a GLP‑1 but were not taking one said they would do so if the risk of side‑effects was lower.
Reported issues included gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea.
More severe complications can include gall bladder inflammation and pancreatitis, but doctors say most side‑effects are minor.
For those already on treatment, the drugs are reshaping daily behaviour and spending.
More than half of users reported decreased appetite and 40 percent said they had fewer food cravings.
About 30 percent said they go to restaurants or order takeout less often.
Around 35 percent said they order smaller portions, choose “lighter or healthier options,” or do not finish their meals when they eat out.
The survey found that roughly a third of GLP‑1 users were buying more fresh fruit and vegetables and more protein‑rich foods.
Thirty‑six percent said they had reduced their alcohol consumption.
Leger Healthcare also reported increased spending among users on clothes, personal‑care products, beauty services and fitness.
GLP‑1s have moved from a niche issue to “a mainstream consumer and health-care story,” said Melicent Lavers‑Sailly, vice‑president of research at Leger Healthcare.
She said the research shows their impact “in shopping baskets and behaviours, not just prescriptions.”
Leger Healthcare has also tracked attitudes toward vaccines among Canadians and healthcare professionals.
In a separate online survey of 1,521 adults, 74 percent said they were very or somewhat confident in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Forty‑two percent were very confident and 32 percent somewhat confident, while 23 percent were not confident.
When asked about changes over the last five years, 58 percent said their confidence was about the same, 14 percent were more confident and 26 percent were less confident.
Younger adults, especially those aged 35 to 54, showed the greatest decline, while people 55 and older reported a small net increase in confidence.
Women and households with children had a larger drop in confidence than men and households without children.
Canadians said the most important factors in their willingness to get vaccinated were the effectiveness of the vaccine in avoiding serious effects of the virus, the severity of symptoms or risk of death, and potential long‑term side‑effects or safety.
They were most hesitant about COVID‑19 and influenza vaccines and more comfortable with Measles / MMR and Shingles.
For information, Canadians primarily relied on family doctors or nurse practitioners, Canadian government‑related public health websites and pharmacists.
They tended to judge the credibility of a person providing vaccine information by whether that person had a medical or scientific background or came from a reputable organisation, and they assessed information itself by whether it cited clinical studies or scientific evidence and clearly explained safety, effectiveness and possible side‑effects.
