Abstract
Disclosure: M. Panchana-Lascano: None. C. Vela Velásquez: None. S. Balda Cañizares: None. R. Kronfle Cordovez: None. T. Leone-Berry: None. G. Minchalo-Ochoa: None. I. Diaz-Djevoich: None. F. Veintemilla-Burgos: None. K. Robles-Velasco: None. I. Cherrez-Ojeda: None. Background: Obesity has become a global issue, placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Lifestyle changes remain the cornerstone of obesity management, with medical treatments often serving as a complementary option. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and liraglutide, as well as the newly approved dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist tirzepatide, have proven highly effective in achieving weight loss. Among commercial names for semaglutide, a well-known option is Ozempic. Furthermore, it was approved as an adjunct treatment for obesity. Widely known for its effectiveness, semaglutide attracted considerable attention on social media as a favored approach to losing weight. Methods: Several searches were conducted using Google Trends, from January 2017 to May 2024. The word “Ozempic” was used as a search term. The countries were selected by performing an initial search within the worldwide category. Forty-four countries were included. A preliminary literature review focused on public interest in weight loss methods. We retrieved terms for the following categories: pharmacological intervention, dietary approach, physical activity, and surgical intervention. Consequently, we selected the following terms: “Tirzepatide,” “Psyllium,” “Intermittent fasting,” “Ketogenic diet,” “Physical exercise,” “Gymnasium,” “Gastric bypass,” and “Sleeve gastrectomy.” Results: When comparing public interest, “Ozempic” vs. surgical interventions such as “sleeve gastrectomy” dominated interest from 2021 to mid-2023 but were overtaken by “Ozempic” and “psyllium supplementation” by the end of 2023. “Gastric bypass,” which peaked in 2018, has declined since then, making it less relevant than “Ozempic” in recent years. Among drug treatments, while “Tirzepatide” has shown rapid growth since 2022, “Ozempic” maintains broader and more sustained interest. “Liraglutide” peaked from mid-2022 to mid-2023 and later declined, falling behind “Ozempic.” Similarly, “Orlistat” and “Phentermine with Topiramate,” which garnered attention from 2017 to mid-2022, have been overtaken by “Ozempic.” Conclusions: Semaglutide is the rising star among weight loss methods, establishing more public interest than any other in 2024. Public policy should address its newfound popularity and the implications it entails, like the possible surge in demand and limited availability for previous indications like glucose control. Presentation: Saturday, July 12, 2025