Leger Healthcare poll suggests medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro are influencing consumer behaviour nationwide
A new national survey suggests that roughly three million Canadian adults are currently taking GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro — and that their growing use is influencing not only health outcomes but also spending habits.
The poll, conducted by Leger Healthcare, found that eight per cent of respondents reported currently taking a prescription GLP-1 drug. Using 2025 adult population estimates, researchers extrapolated that figure to approximately three million adults across the country.
An additional six per cent of respondents said they were interested in taking the medications but were not currently doing so, which Leger projects could represent more than two million Canadians.
GLP-1 drugs, originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, are increasingly prescribed for weight management. According to the survey, 58 per cent of people taking or considering the medication cited weight loss as their primary motivation, while 42 per cent identified diabetes. Twenty-two per cent said heart health was a key factor, with men more likely than women to select that reason.
More than half of current users reported a decreased appetite, and 40 per cent said they experienced fewer food cravings. Those changes appear to be affecting daily choices. About 30 per cent of respondents taking GLP-1 medications said they are dining out or ordering takeout less often. Roughly one-third reported buying more fresh fruits, vegetables and protein-rich foods.
In addition, 35 per cent said they are ordering smaller portions, choosing lighter menu options or leaving food unfinished, while 36 per cent reported reducing alcohol consumption.
The survey suggests the financial impact extends beyond groceries and restaurants. Some respondents indicated increased spending on clothing, personal care products, beauty services and fitness-related activities.
“GLP-1s are no longer a niche health topic,” said Melicent Lavers-Sailly, vice-president of research at Leger Healthcare. “The impact is showing up in shopping baskets and behaviours, not just prescriptions.”
Cost remains a significant barrier. The medications can cost several hundred dollars per month, and about a quarter of current users reported paying entirely out of pocket. Twenty-eight per cent said the drugs were fully covered by private or public insurance, while nearly half reported partial coverage.
Among those interested in taking GLP-1 drugs, more than half said insurance coverage or lower-cost generic options would influence their decision. Thirty-six per cent said they would be more likely to consider the medication if the risk of side effects were lower.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. In rarer cases, more serious complications such as gall bladder inflammation or pancreatitis can occur, though physicians generally describe most side effects as mild.
Leger Healthcare surveyed 1,536 Canadians aged 18 and older online between Feb. 6 and 9, 2026. The Canadian Research Insights Council notes that online surveys cannot be assigned a traditional margin of error because they are not based on random sampling. Leger said a probability sample of similar size would carry a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
As GLP-1 medications become more widely discussed and prescribed, the findings suggest their influence is extending beyond individual health outcomes — potentially reshaping broader consumer patterns and health-care conversations across Canada.