Everyday Health Releases Metabolic Health Benchmark Report: National Consumer Understanding

AUGUST 18, 2026 -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 the conversation beyond numbers on a scale and better educate people about the metabolic health benefits that can show up before weight loss. While weight is an important metric to track, metabolic health offers a more complete picture of one's health. Metabolic health markers - such as blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol levels - may help determine how well and long we live.

These new insights from the Everyday Health and YouGov Survey, July 2026 outline which populations could benefit most from additional education, the metabolic health topics and markers that consumers find most confusing, and how to better educate consumers about metabolic health benefits.

Summary & Core Clinical Gaps

Nationally Representative Survey of 2,874 U.S. Adults 18+ · Fieldwork by YouGov, July 10-14, 2026

Awareness vs. Knowledge: High Curiosity, Low Literacy

48% recognize the term "metabolic health" but are unsure of the meaning.

• Recognition Gap: 48% recognize term but unsure of meaning; 32% say brand new to them.
• Positive Curiosity: 62% say "tell me more" vs. 38% "sounds complicated."
• HDL Miss: Only 38% know low HDL may link to poor metabolic health.
  

Clinical Blind Spots: Neglected MD Dialogues

57% have never discussed maintaining muscle mass with an MD.

• Liver Ignored: 48% never discussed liver health.
• Routine Screenings: Blood pressure (63% within the past year); cholesterol (55% within the past year).
• Control Drop-Off: Lowest felt control for maintaining muscle (53%) and energy levels (56%).

Care & Content Pull: Telehealth & Symptom Hooks

28% obtained Rx via telehealth without in-person visit.

• Telehealth Drivers: Mental health (27%) and weight loss (16%) lead online Rx.
• Symptom Interest: Energy/fatigue (55%) and weight (50%) pull highest interest.
• Mindset Split: 51% proactive "get ahead" vs. 49% reactive "deal later."

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Plain-Language Education Needed: 48% recognizing the term but unsure of definition - focus on foundational explainers.

Reframe Clinical Topics via Symptoms: Low-pull topics like liver health and triglycerides should be hooked to entry points like energy levels and weight.

Demographic Highlights & Segment Differences

White (n=1,919) · Black (n=362) · Hispanic (n=352)

Black Adults: Most Proactive & Action-Oriented

65% have "get ahead of it" stance (highest).

• 59% net likely to raise improving metabolic health with MD (33% "very likely" vs. 17% white).
• Highest net likelihood (59%) to speak to MD about improving metabolic health.

Hispanic Adults: Highest Curiosity & Content Demand

73% curious about term "tell me more" (highest).

• Leads all groups in desire to learn across all 8 topics (61% blood sugar/A1C, 64% energy).
• 44% love knowing their numbers (vs. 35% white).

White Adults: High Literacy, Lower Demand

53% correctly rejected weight-only health myth.

• Most reliably reject false health myths on knowledge checks.
• Lowest interest in learning across all 8 subtopics (39% blood sugar/A1C, 40% BP).

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Knowledge and Curiosity Divide: White respondents know the most about aspects of metabolic health but are least engaged, while Black and Hispanic respondents are far more proactive and curious but less knowledgeable.

Educational Opportunity: Black and Hispanic adults express highest demand for content but lower baseline accuracy, presenting a key publishing window.

Regional Profile & Key Disconnects

Northeast (n=497) · Midwest (n=559) · South (n=1,177) · West (n=641)

The South: Most Engaged & Action-Oriented

53% likely to proactively discuss metabolic health with a doctor.

• Highest 6-month doctor talks on BP (47%), blood sugar/A1C (38%), energy (37%).
• Leads all regions in desire to learn across all 8 health topics.

The West: Proactive Mindset vs. Low Engagement

56% have "get ahead of it" proactive mindset.

• Highest "never talked" for weight (42%) and second highest for maintaining muscle (60%).
• Least likely, along with the Northeast, to speak with MD about ways to improve metabolic health (45%).

The Midwest: High Knowledge & Burden, Low Interest

75% correctly answered blood sugar/A1C T/F knowledge check.

• Leads in obesity (22%), anxiety (33%), sleep disorders (19%).
• Lowest telehealth use, 71% never used telehealth for Rx.

The Northeast:Term Unfamiliarity & Low Awareness

39% say "metabolic health" is completely new to them.

• Highest proportion unfamiliar with the term (vs. ~30% elsewhere).
• Highest confidence in doctor supervision (63% extremely/very confident).

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Mindset vs. Behavior Gap: The South is the clear engagement leader, but the West's "proactive mindset" doesn't translate to actual doctor visits, exposing a gap between how people think about their metabolic health and what they do about it.

Education Opportunity: The South represents the highest-converting audience for clinical outreach, while the Northeast needs baseline term education.

Gender Highlights & Perceived Control

Men (n=1,222) vs. Women (n=1,652)

Men (Male Adults): Higher Perceived Control Across Metrics

62% feel energy/fatigue are well controlled (vs. 50% women).

• Higher net control over energy (+12 pts) and muscle mass (+9 pts).
• More than half (63%) also confident in the medical supervision and guidance they're receiving.
• 23% don't feel the need to speak to MD to improve metabolic health.

Women (Female Adults): Discussion Barriers & Higher Knowledge

59% is the average fact-check accuracy score (vs. 57% men).

• More likely to have never discussed muscle mass (60%) or liver health (50%) with MD.
• More likely to have used telehealth to obtain Rx (30% vs. 26% men).
• Better at identifying metabolic health isn't only bodyweight (54% vs 50% men).

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Broad Engagement Is Equal: Mindset, term awareness, and doctor likelihood are identical by gender, showing both groups are equally reachable.

Targeted Medical Messaging Needed: Women need targeted messaging on muscle preservation and liver health, where doctor communication lags despite high interest.

Everyday Health Metabolic Health Survey • Fieldwork by YouGov (N=2,874) • National Total Sample Benchmark.