New Poll Finds Employer Benefits Support Weight Loss, But Few Address Keeping It Off

Wondr Health/Harris Poll finds only 25% of Americans with employer-sponsored benefits who recently pursued weight loss received ongoing support to help maintain it

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eighty-seven percent of Americans say successful weight management requires support before, during and after weight loss. Yet only 1 in 4 of Americans with employer-sponsored benefits who recently pursued weight loss received ongoing support to help maintain it. These findings come from a national survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Wondr Health, the leading provider of preventive weight and GLP-1 management solutions.

Employers have expanded access to weight-loss treatments in recent years. Among firms with 5,000 or more workers, coverage of GLP-1 medications for weight loss rose from 28% in 2024 to 43% in 2025, according to the KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey. The new Wondr Health/Harris Poll data shows that while access is growing, few people get ongoing support to keep the weight off. That gap matters because weight regain is common. Research shows that more than half of lost weight is typically regained within two years, and the large majority by five years. For employers, that puts both the health and financial value of their investment at risk.

"Losing weight is only the first step. Keeping it off requires ongoing, structured support to build and reinforce healthy behaviors over time, yet few people are getting that support through their benefits," said Tim Church, MD, MPH, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of Wondr Health. “Employers have an opportunity to make long-term behavior change a core part of their weight management benefits, helping people build sustainable habits and access the right level of support as their needs evolve.”

Key findings from the Wondr Health/Harris Poll survey

• 87% of Americans believe successful weight management requires support before, during and after weight loss.
• 84% of Americans agree most weight-loss programs focus more on helping people lose weight than on maintaining their results.
• 83% of Americans say that if they regained weight after losing it, they would want proactive follow-up and support.
• 81% of Americans believe employer-sponsored health benefits should help people maintain weight loss, not just access treatment.
• 80% of Americans agree employers need a more comprehensive approach to obesity care that supports people throughout their entire weight-management journey.
• Only 25% of Americans with employer-sponsored benefits who had a recent weight-loss journey received ongoing support to help them maintain their weight loss.

As employers and health plans finalize 2027 benefits, these findings offer a clear view of what Americans say is missing: support that continues after the weight comes off. Closing that gap can help employees sustain their health gains and feel supported for the long term, while helping employers protect their investment and build a healthier, more productive workforce.

To learn how Wondr Health helps employers and health plans support long-term weight maintenance, visit www.wondrhealth.com.

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Wondr Health from September 22–23, 2026, among 2,012 adults ages 18+, of whom 1,270 have employer-sponsored health benefits and have had a recent weight-loss journey. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/-2.7 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Wondr Health.

About Wondr Health

Wondr Health is the trusted leader in preventive weight and GLP-1 management solutions. Building on the strength of its digital behavioral program, Wondr Health delivers smarter weight management benefits with configurable GLP-1 coverage strategies that give employers and health plans more choice and maximum cost control. Integrated coaching, condition-specific care tracks, nutrition support, and connected devices drive sustained behavior change to prevent chronic disease and avoid downstream spend. Backed by 20 years of experience in the benefits space, Wondr Health sets a new standard for accessible, affordable care—helping organizations future-proof their weight management strategy while empowering individuals to live healthier, happier lives. For more information, visit www.wondrhealth.com.