Losing weight in the new year won't take the same shape as it did in the past.

Why it matters: The emergence of groundbreaking new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, originally approved for diabetes, is transforming how Americans shed pounds.

• Nearly 18 million Americans are expected to be taking versions of GLP-1 drugs by 2029, according to investment bank UBS.

By the numbers: The drugs — which are currently administered in the form of regular injections — may already be reversing America's obesity crisis.

• In a survey conducted from 2021 through 2023, 40.3% of adults 20 and older were classified as having obesity, down from the all-time high of 41.9% from 2017 through 2020.
• The data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has prompted observers to say that the U.S. may have passed peak obesity.

The intrigue: GLP-1 drugs are leaving a trail of disruption throughout the economy.

• Companies like WeightWatchers are struggling to adapt as Americans rethink the concept of dieting. The company's CEO, who apologized for the company's past role in fostering a culture that shamed people for being overweight, recently resigned.
• Bariatric surgery is declining in popularity, prompting some health systems to shutter or cancel investments in facilities.
• Demand for treatments like hip and knee replacements could decline over time as lighter bodies put less pressure on joints, some experts believe.

Yes, but: Price and access remain significant challenges.

• List prices for a month's supply of GLP-1s range from about $936 to $1,349 before insurance, which often doesn't pay enough for people to afford the drugs, according to Kaiser Family Foundation research.
• Widespread shortages have prevented some patients from getting prescriptions filled, though the FDA has said the shortages are improving. Meanwhile, pharmacies are introducing compounded alternatives that critics say allow them to skirt regulatory review.

The big question: Will the U.S. government authorize Medicare to cover weight-loss drugs?

• The Biden administration in November proposed having Medicare cover the drugs beginning in 2026, but the Trump administration will have the final say.
• Opponents of Medicare covering the drugs say the federal budget can't handle the extra costs.

What we're watching: Whether the pharmaceutical companies successfully develop pill versions of GLP-1 drugs. They're currently under development, and the early results look promising.

Ohio saw a 6.9% increase in GLP-1 prescriptions last year, a lower number than the national average of 9.6%.

By the numbers: Nearly 1.7 million prescriptions were written for these medications in Ohio alone in 2024.

Between the lines: Officials in multiple states have warned consumers about unapproved versions of medications being sold as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.

💉 How these weight-loss drugs started and how they work. (Axios)

🤺 Competitors are coming. (Axios)

🚫 Access to weight-loss drugs isn't equitable. (Axios)

💻 The boom has spawned numerous online scams. (CNBC)

⚕️There's growing evidence that the health benefits of GLP-1 drugs extend beyond weight loss. (NBC News)

Debate is swirling over how America's embrace of these effective weight-loss drugs will affect what we eat.

Why it matters: Americans spent $2.6 trillion on food in 2023, according to the USDA, so any shifts in our behavior could have profound effects on the economy.

• Walmart reported it had already noticed that weight-loss drug users were buying less food, and investors are anxious to see how diets change.

Zoom in: Food companies are creating new products to appeal to people who are taking GLP-1 drugs.

• "We're going to continue to look for innovation that is relevant for consumers who might be looking to change their diet," Mark Smucker, CEO of the J.M. Smucker Co., said in November.
• Nestlé, the world's largest food company, recently announced a new frozen food brand aimed at weight-loss drug users.
• The brand, Vital Pursuit, offers options like a Southwest style chicken fajita sandwich melt, a Vermont white cheddar mac & broccoli bowl and a cauliflower crust pepperoni pizza.

😲 Pro tip: Nathan reports the pizza is surprisingly "crispy and flavorful."

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If filling your plate with tasty, guilt-free calories is more your style, the National Restaurant Association has the scoop on what top chefs expect will be this year's most popular foods and drinks.

Dining the news: We're taking that a step further and dishing out details on where to find them locally.

What to try:

🍄 Mushrooms: Alqueria's appetizer with sourdough and the "Fungus Among Us" ramen bowl at Ampersand won't disappoint.

☕ Cold brew: Seventh Son started selling canned cold brew last year in partnership with Florin Coffee, or stop by and try a glass at Mission or One Line.

🍯 Hot honey: Four pizzas and two appetizers on Paulie Gee's menu feature this craze, along with fried chicken at The Eagle and Kitchen Social.

🥒 Pickled foods: Get your fix delivered from the Crazy Cucumber.

🌏 Asian flavors: Travel across the globe at Min-Ga (Korean), Huong (Vietnamese) and Bonifacio (Filipino).

🍺 Hyper-local beer and wine: Hit the Columbus Ale Trail to sample our craft beer scene. For wine, check out Wyandotte near Westerville or Plum Run in Grove City.

🍷 Spritzes: Raise a glass at The Daily Bar or Stories on High.