Beyond the Scale: Everyday Health Survey Reveals Opportunity to Drive Metabolic Health Understanding

JULY 29, 2026 - Everyday Health, the authority for trusted, evidence-based health and medical information, is releasing new data about consumer awareness of metabolic health. Consumers are familiar with the benefits of weight loss and the role GLP-1 drugs can play. But as the science continues to evolve, there is an opportunity to shift beyond numbers on a scale and better educate people about the metabolic health benefits that can show up before weight loss. These improvements to their overall metabolic health have potential benefits for energy, sleep, and healthspan.

Access to GLP-1s has grown significantly in recent years, alongside access to health information. The scientific research on the benefits of GLP-1 drugs has evolved beyond diabetes and obesity and now includes a growing list of benefits related to metabolic health, including improvements to cardiovascular health, and for conditions like sleep apnea and kidney disease.

While weight is an important metric to track, metabolic health tells a more complete picture of one's health. Metabolic health markers - such as blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol levels - can help determine how well and long we live. People can see improvements in these markers even before they lose weight. The goal is not just weight loss, but a body that functions to prevent chronic diseases and promote longevity.

The new data from a YouGov Survey, July 2026 by Everyday Health reveals significant opportunities for stakeholders, including healthcare providers, health influencers, and researchers to help explain the connection between GLP-1s, weight loss, metabolic health, and whole health benefits:

Limited Understanding:

• Only 20 percent of U.S. adults say they understand metabolic health, and more than 3 in 10 - 32 percent - have never heard of the term.
  • 74 percent of U.S. adults connect blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and waist circumference to healthy aging.
  • 48 percent didn't realize that metabolic health isn't only about body weight.
  • 48 percent said blood pressure had little connection to metabolic health or weren't sure.
  • Less than 4 in 10 adults (38 percent) believe low levels of "good" cholesterol (HDL) may be linked to poorer metabolic health.

Opportunity for Education and Action:

• 62 percent of U.S. adults are eager to learn more about metabolic health.
• Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults (63 percent) only check health metrics reactively when something feels wrong, not proactively to monitor progress or improvement.
• 57 percent of adults have never discussed muscle mass, a core metabolic pillar, with a healthcare provider.
• Consumer confidence in healthcare management lags most in areas of high public interest:
  • 53 percent express confidence in muscle mass management.
  • 62 percent express confidence in weight management.

"At a time when conversations about weight loss and obesity are more open than ever due to GLP-1s, our data shows that consumers are eager for more information about how to extend the benefits beyond weight loss," said Valarie Basheda, Vice President of Editorial, Everyday Health. "We have the ability to see benefits beyond the number on the scale by understanding how blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight are connected, and how they affect our health overall."

These findings point to an opportunity for clearer, more practical education that helps people translate information into actionable insights. Weight is easy to track and easy to understand. Metabolic health requires a greater understanding of key health markers, what daily habits keep metabolic systems functioning well, and when to seek extra medical support.

To address these needs, Everyday Health is announcing the development of a consumer report and open-source resources, including interactive assessments and expert-guided videos, to help inform consumers, influencers, and healthcare providers on the intersection of weight, metabolic health, and overall healthspan.

Full survey results and consumer resources are available: here.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,874 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 10th - 14th July 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all U.S. adults (aged 18+).