As 2025 approaches and many Americans set intentions and resolutions for the new year, their weight is undeniably on their minds, according to Hims & Hers. 

While this may not seem like a stunning revelation—especially since a new year often prompts consumers to head to the gym and/or fill their grocery carts with healthier options, at least for a few weeks—a new report from the health and wellness platform highlights just how significant the issue of weight is for Americans.

The report, The Shape of America, is based on an online survey of 5,000 respondents aged 18 and older and demonstrates how the desire for weight loss has permeated all aspects of life, from household economics to self-worth.

Underscoring that weight is indeed a top concern for Americans, Hims & Hers reveals that 75% of Americans think about their weight every day, with 14% admitting it is a constant concern. 

Other findings from the report reveal that 85% of Americans believe at least one major area of their life would improve if they lost weight, while 83% acknowledge they are not at their desired weight. Over half (59%) agree or somewhat agree that their entire life would improve with weight loss, and 54% say their mood fluctuates based on the number on the scale.

On average, Americans would like to lose 42 pounds, and 77% are open to trying a weight loss method they haven’t yet explored. The desire to lose weight also has an economic impact: 81% of Americans say they would save money on household expenses if they lost weight.

The report also explores the connection between mental health and excess weight, revealing that 85% of individuals with obesity say their weight has negatively impacted their daily lives, making them more likely to skip work or withdraw from activities and goals.

Hims & Hers’ findings contrast with the body positivity movement (a point it acknowledges) and show that Gen Z survey participants report experiencing more body stigma, shame and trauma than older generations. Over half (54%) of Gen Z respondents admit to feeling, or having felt, inferior to others because of their weight.

The statistics from the Gen Z cohort could help explain why young consumers are seemingly more invested in health, fitness and wellness than older generations.  

Weight Loss Medication Market Continues to Surge

The results of the report stand out against the backdrop of rising weight loss medications—industry-disrupting drugs that are helping Americans to slim down, despite their often high costs.

It’s an area that Hims & Hers is now invested in, having ventured into the weight loss medication arena this year with compounded GLP-1 injections and weight loss pills. Last month, the platform issued a white paper demonstrating that its program has been successful, with 87% of its customers working toward, nearing or have already met their weight loss goal. 

It’s undoubtedly been a money-maker for Hims & Hers, as well. The company revealed in May that its weight loss offering is tracking to surpass $100 million in revenue by the end of 2025 and is growing faster than any specialty in its history. For the third quarter of 2024, Hims & Hers reported revenue of $401.6 million, a remarkable 77% increase year-over-year, and revealed that its subscriber base grew to 2 million, marking a 44% rise.

Impressive numbers, considering that access to branded GLP-1 medications (such as Ozempic) remains a struggle for many Americans due to shortages, particularly in states where obesity rates are higher. That’s a secondary area Hims & Hers is trying to correct, having introduced a GLP-1 Supply Tracker for individuals to share their experience and provide a clear picture to the Food and Drug Administration of the demand for the popular medications. 

“Our customers have demonstrated a clear gap in supply and demand, so we’re making it easy for everyone to share their experience and be a part of advocating for better access to the medications they need,” Hims & Hers CEO and co-founder Andrew Dudum said. “Part of our responsibility to the millions of customers who trust us with their healthcare is to understand the scale of the challenges they face and use our platform to combat them.”

More recently, Hims & Hers launched high-protein meal replacement bars and shakes for customers either on GLP-1 medications or looking to manage their weight. 

Experts agree that relying solely on weight loss medication without correcting lifestyle habits may limit success long-term, opening the door for fitness and wellness companies to meet new needs. In the meantime, leading brands such as Life Time, Xponential’s Lindora, Equinox, Noom and Echelon are gearing up, as JP Morgan projects that around 9% of the U.S. population (30 million) will eventually become a GLP-1 user in just six short years.

The post Weight is Weighing on the Majority of Americans, Survey Finds appeared first on Athletech News.

A recent study from the University of Michigan has found that individuals with obesity who engage in long-term exercise have healthier belly fat tissue, allowing for more effective fat storage compared to their non-exercising counterparts.

This finding supports the importance of regular physical activity for metabolic health and offers encouragement for clients who aren’t able to shed fat despite a regular exercise routine.

Study Highlights

The research team wanted to explore the impact of years of exercise on fat tissue. They compared two groups of adults with obesity: 16 participants who reported exercising at least four times a week for an average of 11 years, and 16 individuals who had never exercised regularly but were matched in terms of body fat mass, weight and sex.

Researchers took samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue—fat located just beneath the skin—from both groups. The results showed that the exercisers had distinct structural and biological differences in their fat tissue, including increased blood vessel density, more mitochondria and higher levels of beneficial proteins. They also had lower amounts of collagen that could interfere with metabolism and fewer inflammation-causing cells.

“Our findings indicate that regular exercise not only helps expend calories but also modifies fat tissue in ways that allow for healthier fat storage during weight gain, which many people experience as they age,” said Jeffrey Horowitz, a professor of movement science at the U-M School of Kinesiology.

The implications of these findings are important. Storing fat in subcutaneous adipose tissue, the type sampled in this study, is considered healthier than fat accumulation around vital organs, which can lead to serious health issues.

Horowitz noted, “Increasing the capacity to store fat here reduces the likelihood of storing fat in unhealthy areas, such as visceral fat around the organs or in the organs themselves.”

This research builds on earlier studies that observed changes in fat tissue after shorter exercise periods. Horowitz emphasized the need for further investigation into how long-term exercise influences fat tissue health and whether specific types or intensities of exercise yield better results.

Personal Trainers & Programming

This study provides insights for personal trainers, emphasizing the importance of long-term exercise for metabolic health and fat tissue management. Trainers can leverage these findings to educate clients about the broader health impacts of consistent physical activity beyond just weight loss.

Moreover, fitness professionals can design sustainable long-term exercise programs that promote adherence and highlight the health benefits of regular activity, as opposed to pure aesthetics. Understanding that exercise can lead to healthier fat storage may also help address common client concerns about weight gain as they age, fostering a more positive mindset towards fitness.

While the study findings are positive, there are several limitations. The study involved only 32 participants, which may restrict the generalizability of the results. Also, the reliance on self-reported exercise data could introduce bias and inaccuracies in actual activity levels. The research compared current fat tissue characteristics rather than tracking changes over time, limiting insights into how exercise impacts fat tissue development.

The participants were matched based on specific characteristics, which may overlook other influential factors such as genetics and lifestyle. Also of note: the focus on subcutaneous abdominal fat may not capture the full spectrum of fat distribution and health implications, and the controlled setting may not reflect real-world conditions affecting exercise adherence.

Continued research in this area will further clarify the relationship between exercise, fat storage and overall health, informing best practices in the fitness industry.

The post Long-Term Exercise Enhances Fat Tissue Health in Individuals with Obesity appeared first on Athletech News.