Sunlight.com surveyed 984 GLP-1 users in October 2025 to explore how weight loss is affecting not just users’ health, but also their social and professional lives.
The survey found:
- 7 in 10 GLP-1 users say their treatment by coworkers, strangers, family, and friends improved
- 9 in 10 report greater confidence at work
- 4 in 10 GLP-1 users believe weight loss contributed to professional gains, including raises and promotions
- 8 in 10 dating app users say they’re getting more likes and matches
- 9 in 10 report an improved self-image
7 in 10 GLP-1 Users Say They’re Treated Better Since Losing Weight
Seven in ten people who have used GLP-1 medications say they’re treated better by at least one specific group of people since losing weight. Nearly half (46%) say strangers treat them more positively, 39% say coworkers do, and 28% say their boss does. Among those with romantic partners, 43% report improved treatment since their weight loss. Additionally, 36% say they’re treated better by friends, and 37% report improved treatment by family.
About 35% say they’re treated more positively in social settings, and 29% say they’re treated better in public. Seventeen percent say they’re invited to more social events.
Single GLP-1 Users Report Getting More Romantic Attention
Among single GLP-1 users, 83% say they use dating apps. Of those, 36% report receiving way more likes or matches since losing weight, and another 42% say they receive a few more.
“Even in the early stages of weight loss with GLP-1 medication, patients often experience a renewed sense of hope after years of failed diet attempts,” says Dr. Angela Tran. “That hope naturally fuels motivation to make healthier choices. Many go on to join gyms or fitness communities, rediscovering themselves in the process. This self-renewal builds confidence that carries into their careers, relationships, and everyday lives, helping them feel in control again after years of feeling limited by their weight.”
“People are kinder to me. I’m not invisible.”
Many GLP-1 users describe dramatic changes in how they’re treated after losing weight, writing in:
- “People seem to be more comfortable around me now. It’s as if my extra weight made people feel uneasy around me, and it’s a startling difference. I see it in both friends and strangers that people now seem more at ease around me since losing the weight.”
- “Since losing weight, people treat me with more respect and pay more attention to my opinions. Colleagues seem more willing to include me in discussions and value my input during meetings.”
- “People actually listen to me now. Before, they would ignore me.”
- “I feel like people take me more seriously. Before, I felt like they thought I was lazy because I was overweight.”
- “I feel and look better, which projects confidence, and I think that changes how other people see me.”
- “People are kinder to me. I’m not invisible.”
1 in 8 Say Weight Loss Led to a Raise or Promotion
Professional benefits were common among GLP-1 users who experienced weight loss. Ninety-one percent of working respondents say they have more confidence at work, and 41% believe their weight loss contributed to professional gains.
Among those reporting career improvements:
- 64% felt more respected or included at work
- 52% received more recognition from leadership
- 36% got new career opportunities
- 21% received a raise
- 18% earned a promotion
Of those who received a raise, most reported meaningful pay increases:
- 36% got a 5% to 10% raise
- 31% received an 11% to 15% raise
- 15% saw a 15% to 20% increase
- 5% earned a raise of more than 20%
“Research has shown that confidence and a person’s ability to believe in themselves can strongly contribute to workplace success, independent of weight or physical appearance. In my clinical experience, one of the most common reasons people seek weight loss is a lack of self-confidence,” explains Dr. Tran.
“With GLP-1 medications, many not only lose weight but also experience an internal shift in how they see themselves. They start practicing self-care, being kinder to themselves, and believing in their abilities across different areas of life. As they grow more confident, they build stronger relationships, trust their decisions at work, and handle challenges with a more positive, solution-focused mindset,” says Dr. Tran.
9 in 10 GLP-1 Users Say Weight Loss Improved Their Self-Image
When asked about self-perception overall, 86% said their self-image improved after weight loss. Since losing weight, respondents say they feel:
- More comfortable (66%)
- More confident (58%)
- More attractive (45%)
- More outgoing (43%)
- More capable (41%)
“Many patients find it easier to engage in social settings after previously feeling like they were in hiding because of their weight. They often notice that interactions with friends and family come more naturally. They feel more confident and outgoing in social and workplace settings. And perhaps one of the greatest benefits is the increase in energy and overall positive mood,” says Dr. Tran.
Methodology
Sunlight.com commissioned this survey, which was conducted via Pollfish in October 2025. The survey included 984 GLP-1 users in the U.S. aged 18 and older who reported losing weight since beginning a GLP-1 medication.