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Weight Loss Medication Prescription Prevalence in the Active Component, 2018–2023

Image of 27997960. Weight loss medication prescription prevalence in the active component, 2018–2023.

1/1/2024 By: Nathan C. Lorei, MD; Shauna L. Stahlman, PhD, MPH; Gi-Taik Oh, MS; Natalie Y. Wells, MD, MPH

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The U.S. military has witnessed rising obesity among active component service members. The Department of Defense authorized coverage of weight loss medications in 2018, but no study has evaluated prescription prevalence within the active component. This descriptive retrospective cohort study analyzed data from active component U.S. military service members from January 2018 through June 2023. The study used data from the Defense Medical Surveillance System to determine prescription period prevalence of weight loss medication. Data on demographics, body mass index, and history of diabetes were considered. The study revealed a 100-fold increase in the prescription period prevalence of weight loss agents in the active component from their initial authorization date. Demographics associated with higher prescription period prevalence were non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity, female sex, and older age. Service members in the health care occupations and the Navy had higher prevalence compared to other service branches and occupations. The findings indicate a significant rise in the period prevalence of weight loss prescriptions over time. Further research is recommended to assess the effectiveness, safety, and use in austere military environments.

What are the new findings?

Following their approval for active component use in 2018, the prevalence of weight loss prescriptions within the active component increased nearly 100-fold, from 1.2 to 104.1 per 100,000 service members. Increased weight loss medication prescription rates were associated with demographic categories including female sex, older age, non-Hispanic Black race or ethnicity, Naval service, and health care-associated occupations.

What is the impact on readiness and force health protection?

Use of weight loss medications will likely continue to increase due to the ongoing obesity epidemic in the U.S. Further study evaluating their real world effectiveness in weight management and safety for use among service members in austere and deployed environments should be considered. 

Background

In 2000, the World Health Organization designated obesity a global epidemic.1 The U.S. faces an increasing prevalence of obesity, which affects both the general population and the armed forces.2 The prevalence of obesity among active component service members rose from 16.1% in 2018 to 18.8% in 2021.3 Furthermore, the combined prevalence of both obesity and overweight increased from 65.5% in 2018 to 67.3% in 2021.3 Obesity within military ranks not only compromises readiness and functional capabilities but also correlates with various musculoskeletal injuries and mental health disorders, leading to increased health care provision.4-8

In 2018, the Defense Health Agency added four weight loss agents (phentermine, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, and phendimetrazine) to the TRICARE Formulary, following authorization from the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.9 Additionally, coverage of brand name and specially ordered medication (non-formulary) with prior authorization was expanded to include approved long-term therapies: liraglutide, lorcaserin, naltrexone/bupropion, orlistat, and phentermine/topiramate.9 In 2021, semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist originally developed for diabetes management, was included in the list of covered medications following U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.10-14 While the DHA approved the agents for weight management, consensus indicates these agents remain adjunctive to a comprehensive lifestyle intervention, and prescribers must consider their compatibility with an individual service member’s professional duties and personal lifestyle.9,10,13,15,16

With limited information available on prescription weight loss medication usage among military members, it is important to explore its prevalence for better understanding of obesity management within the military. Describing period prevalence serves as a precursor to further investigation of real world effectiveness, side effects, and cost to the Military Health System. The objective of this descriptive epidemiologic study is to describe weight loss prescription medication prevalence among ACSM from January 2018 through June 2023.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included all active component U.S. military service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2023. This report is based on summaries of medical administrative data routinely provided to the U.S. Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division and integrated within the Defense Medical Surveillance System for health surveillance purposes. Periodic Health Assessment, medical encounter, and demographic data were obtained from DMSS, the central repository of longitudinal medical surveillance data for directly and privately purchased medical care within the U.S. military. Records of prescribed and dispensed weight loss medications from the Pharmacy Data Transaction Service were also obtained from DMSS.

Click on the table to access a 508-compliant PDF version

All dispensed formulary and non-formulary weight loss medications covered by DHA were identified in PDTS through a drug name search for medications listed in Table 1; over-the-counter formulations were not analyzed. Both generic and trade names were searched, apart from Qsymia and Contrave, which were identified only by trade name to avoid capturing prescriptions for neurologic treatments. Quarterly prevalence was calculated as the number of service members with a dispensed weight loss medications during the quarter of interest per 100,000 service members in service at any point during the quarter.

Covariates included sex, age, service, race and ethnicity, rank, occupation, history of type 2 diabetes diagnosis, and body mass index. A case of diabetes was defined by a record of two or more inpatient or outpatient medical encounters within 90 days of each other, with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the first (primary) diagnostic position (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision: beginning with ‘250’ and fifth digit ‘0’ or ‘2’; International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision: E11). Cases with a prior diagnosis for type 1 diabetes (ICD-9: beginning with ‘250’ and fifth digit ‘1’ or ‘3’; ICD-10: E10*) listed in the primary diagnostic position were excluded as a case of type 2 diabetes, as the type could not be determined.

To calculate BMI, records of height and weight were obtained from annual electronic PHA documentation. The greatest weight measurement within the two years prior to the medication dispensation date was included to describe the maximum recorded BMI for service members dispensed a weight loss medication in the last quarter of the surveillance period. Weight records for women with a pregnancy or birth-related diagnosis (ICD-10 code beginning with ‘O’) in any diagnostic position in an inpatient or outpatient record within nine months before or after the date of their weight measurement, were excluded from the analysis. BMI was calculated in kg/m2 [(weight (lbs.) / (height {in})2) * 703].

Results

The number of monthly prescriptions of weight loss agents in the active component increased from seven prescriptions in January 2018 to 816 prescriptions in June 2023 (Figure 1). Phentermine constituted the largest number of prescriptions throughout the surveillance period, while semaglutide comprised a significant proportion following its FDA approval in June 2021. The vast majority of prescriptions (n=12,037, 99.9%) during the study period were dispensed with a supply of 90 days or less.

This graph presents a shaded area beneath a primary or topmost line oriented on the horizontal, or x-, axis that represents the cumulative prescription counts from 2018 to 2023 for weight loss medications in the military health system among the active component of the U.S. Armed Forces. The greater shaded area is further differentiated into 10 distinct colors, each of which represents a discrete weight loss medication. The 10 secondary lines that demarcate the color variations within the greater shaded area each connect 66 different data points oriented along the vertical, or y-, axis; these 66 data points on each line represent every month during the period of analysis, from January 2018 through June 2023. The greater shaded area indicates that weight loss prescription counts gradually increased, from a baseline of nearly zero in March 2018, for the first four years—with one small spike in March 2020—for the first four years, reaching approximately 175 in February 2022. A noticeable spike, to just over 250, subsequently occurred in March 2022, and with small monthly fluctuations that case count generally persisted for approximately eight months. Case counts then began gradually rising starting in October 2022, reaching 400 four months later, in February 2023. Case counts then jumped significantly each successive month: to approximately 580 in March 2023, 625 in April, 780 in May, and to a record high of approximately 830 in June 2023. The distinct color variations show that, by far, the most-prescribed medication was phentermine, but the proportion of semaglutide prescriptions increased in March 2022, and then increased again during every spike after November 2022. In June 2023 just over half of prescriptions were for phentermine, while approximately one-third were for semaglutide.

Initial analysis by agent revealed similar prevalence trends by demographic category (data not shown) and were collapsed to summarize findings as prevalence of all weight loss medications. The quarterly prevalence of ACSM who received any weight loss prescription (per 100,000 persons) increased from 1.2 in the first quarter (Q1) of 2018 to 104.4 in the second quarter (Q2) of 2023 (Figure 2).

This graph shows one line, oriented along the horizontal, or x-, axis that represents weight loss prescription prevalence among the active component from 2018 to 2023. The horizontal line connects 22 discrete data points, each which denotes an annual calendar quarter. Rates of prescription prevalence per 100,000 individuals are labeled on the vertical, or y-, axis. Prescription prevalence was at 1.2 per 100,000 individuals in the first quarter of 2018 and gradually increased over the next three years—with one minor spike in the first quarter of 2020—to 19.6 in the second quarter of 2021. In the third quarter of 2021 the rate increased by nearly two and a half points (per 100,000 person-years), and more or less continued that trend for the following year. In the fourth quarter of 2022 the rate increased by nearly five points, to 42.4 (per 100,000 person-years), then jumped to 65.4 in the following quarter, and ended at a dramatically higher 104.4 (per 100,000 person-years) in the second quarter of 2023.

Click on the table to access a 508-compliant PDF versionFemale service members received prescriptions for weight loss at a higher prevalence than their male counterparts during the surveillance period, with a ratio of 339.2 compared to 54.5 in Q2 of 2023 (Table 2). Prevalence ratios increased with increasing age; those in the 50 years and older category had a prevalence of 470.6 in Q2 of 2023. Stratification by age and sex clearly delineated higher prevalence among women in all age groups than men of the same age, with an increasing prevalence with increased age.

Prescription prevalence was consistently higher among Navy ACSM than among other services, at 157.1 in Q2 of 2023, 72% higher than those in the Army (91.3), 54.5% higher than those in the Air Force (101.7), and 363% higher than the Marine Corps (43.2).

After excluding those whose race or ethnicity was ‘Unknown,’ non-Hispanic Black ACSM had the highest prescription prevalence, at 147.3 in Q2 of 2023. By comparison, non-Hispanic White ACSM had a prevalence of 95.9, Hispanic ACSM 93.0, and the “Other” race and ethnicity ACSM category 86.4 per 100,000 in Q2 of 2023. Stratified analysis by race and ethnicity and age showed highest prevalence among non-Hispanic Black personnel in all age categories, with the exception of Hispanic personnel in the 25-39 age category.

Covariate analysis showed increasing prevalence of prescriptions. By rank, senior officers and senior enlisted ACSM had the highest prescription prevalence, reaching their highest rates in Q2 of 2023, 307 and 145.7 per 100,000, respectively. Comparing occupations, ACSM in a health care field had the greatest prescription prevalence over the study period, while those in pilot and air crew positions maintained lowest prevalence. Service members with a prior history of diabetes had significantly higher prescription prevalence, at 2,124.6 per 100,000 in Q2 of 2023.

Data (not shown) from Q2 of 2023 revealed that 62.1% of weight loss agents were prescribed to those with obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2), 16.9% of prescribed agents were for those with an overweight BMI (25-30 kg/m2), and 2.1% of agents were prescribed to those with a BMI less than 25 kg/m2; 18.9% of personnel on weight loss prescriptions did not have a calculable BMI from the corresponding PHA.

Discussion

The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force reports that lifestyle change programs are evidence-based and should remain the primary focus for weight loss in adults while data on long-term weight maintenance after discontinuation of weight loss agents are lacking.17 The current joint Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guidelines for weight loss medication administration require that patients start lifestyle modifications (i.e., physical training programs and reduced caloric intake) prior to initiating a weight loss medication. After 12 weeks of phentermine use, or in the presence of a contraindication to its use, a patient may be moved to a non-formulary weight loss agent.18

The results of this study demonstrate a substantial increase in the number of monthly prescriptions of weight loss agents among ACSM since initial approval in September 2017, with a four-fold increase in prescribing rates starting in 2022. Phentermine consistently constituted the largest number of prescriptions throughout the study period, which is similar to previous studies of weight loss medication use in civilian populations.19 The introduction of semaglutide following FDA approval in June 2021, however, resulted in increases in that agent’s prevalence, but its increase is not consistent with linear adoption patterns in the general U.S. population, and may be a result of the sequential process of obtaining semaglutide for weight loss in the military and inter-service variability in prescribing practices.20 Alternatively, such results may demonstrate secondary effects on prescribing practices and treatment of obesity as a chronic disease as obesity prevalence increases within the Armed Forces and service members and providers become more aware of treatment options involving these medications.

The demographic profile of weight loss prescription ratios corresponds to previous observations of demographic factors associated with obesity prevalence in the U.S. military.3 Non-Hispanic Black and older (40+) service members received weight loss prescriptions at higher rates than their counterparts, which is consistent with findings in the general U.S. population.19,21 Navy ACSM consistently maintained higher prescription prevalence compared to all other service branches, which correlated with the Navy’s higher rates of obesity compared to all other services.3 

There were some differences between the previous surveillance of obesity and prevalence of weight loss prescriptions identified in this study. Women had higher prevalence of weight loss medications despite the higher prevalence of obesity among men in the military.3 Service members in health care fields had the highest prescription prevalence throughout the study period although obesity is more prevalent in repair/engineering occupations.3 These findings may indicate the influence of professional factors and health care knowledge on medication use, general comfort with the concept of using a medication for weight management, improved access to medications through system or institutional knowledge, or increased awareness of overweight or obese status among health care workers. The increased prevalence of dispensed weight loss medications among service members in health care occupations requires further study.

This analysis relied on electronic health records, which may have inherent biases and limitations, including missing or incomplete data and data entry inaccuracies. Data from PHAs may not truly reflect accurate height and weight data; many health care providers conducted PHAs during the COVID-19 pandemic via telehealth, resulting in self-reported data that more commonly results in weight underestimation. Additionally, BMI is an imperfect measure for distinguishing lean versus fat body mass. While the TRICARE health benefit is intended to be the primary health care coverage for all ACSM, there is the infrequent possibility a service member acquires weight loss medications outside the MHS, which would not appear in this analysis. Over-the-counter formulations of the covered weight loss medications were not considered in this analysis, resulting in estimates that may be lower than true prevalence. Additionally, this study focused on ACSM, limiting the generalizability of the findings to other military populations or civilian contexts.

In 2022 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that increased obesity prevalence in military members costs a potential $1.5 billion annually in obesity-related health care and 658,000 lost work days.8 The trend in use of weight loss medication in the military should continue to be monitored, as these therapies represent a novel tool to manage obesity in this population. Future efforts should evaluate weight loss medications’ real world effectiveness, effects on health outcomes and comorbidities, safety for use in austere and deployed environments, impacts on readiness and retention, and cost-benefit and utility analyses.

Author Affiliations

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences: LT Lorei; Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division: Dr. Stahlman, Mr. Oh, CAPT Wells

Disclaimer

The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy nor position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

References to non-Federal entities or products do not constitute nor imply a Department of Defense or Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences endorsement. This work was prepared by a military or civilian employee of the U.S. Government as part of that individual’s official duties and therefore is in the public domain and does not possess copyright protection.

Public domain information may be freely distributed and copied; as a courtesy it is requested that the Uniformed Services University and the author be given an appropriate acknowledgment.

References

  1. World Health Organization. Obesity: Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic–Report of a WHO Consultation: WHO Technical Report Series 894. World Health Organization; 2000.
  2. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Adult Obesity Facts. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated May 17, 2022. Accessed Sep. 12, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
  3. Stiegmann RA, Payne CB, Kiel MA, Stahlman SL. Increased prevalence of overweight and obesity and incidence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, active component service members, U.S. Armed Forces, 2018 to 2021. MSMR. 2023;30(01):11-18.
  4. Krauss MR, Garvin NU, Boivin MR, Cowan DN. Excess stress fractures, musculoskeletal injuries, and health care utilization among unfit and overweight female Army trainees. Am J Sports Med. 2017;45(2):311-316. doi:10.1177/0363546516675862
  5. Cowan DN, Bedno SA, Urban N, Yi B, Niebuhr DW. Musculoskeletal injuries among overweight army trainees: incidence and health care utilization. Occup Med (London). 2011;61(4):247-252. doi:10.1093/occmed/kqr028
  6. Petry NM, Barry D, Pietrzak RH, Wagner JA. Overweight and obesity are associated with psychiatric disorders: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Psychosom Med. 2008;70(3):288-297. doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181651651
  7. Rivenes AC, Harvey SB, Mykletun A. The relationship between abdominal fat, obesity, and common mental disorders: results from the HUNT study. J Psychosom Res. 2009;66(4):269-275. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2008.07.012
  8. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Fact Sheet. Unfit to Serve: Obesity and Physical Inactivity Are Impacting National Security. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated Jun. 20, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/resources/unfit-to-serve/index.html
  9. U.S. Defense Health Agency. Fact Sheet. MTF Formulary Management for Weight Loss Agents. Defense Health Agency. 2018. Accessed Jul. 3, 2023. https://www.health.mil/Reference-Center/Fact-Sheets/2018/02/26/Formulary-Management-for-Weight-Loss-Agents
  10. Rubino DM, Greenway FL, Khalid U, et al. Effect of weekly subcutaneous semaglutide vs daily liraglutide on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes: the STEP 8 randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2022;3272):138-150. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.23619
  11. Singh G, Krauthamer M, Bjalme-Evans M. Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management. J Investig Med. 2022;70(1):5-13. doi:10.1136/jim-2021-001952
  12. Cohen JB, Gadde KM. Weight loss medications in the treatment of obesity and hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2019;21(2):16. doi:10.1007/s11906-019-0915-1
  13. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. NEJM. 2021;384(11):989-1002. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
  14. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Press Release. FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First Since 2014. Food and Drug Adminstration. Jun. 4, 2021. Accessed Jul. 3, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-treatment-chronic-weight-management-first-2014
  15. Mayer SB, Graybill S, Raffa SD, et al. Synopsis of the 2020 US VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for the management of adult overweight and obesity. Mil Med. 2021;186(9-10):884-896. doi:10.1093/milmed/usab114
  16. Nadolsky KZ. Rationale for utilization of obesity pharmacotherapy in the active duty population. Mil Med. 2018;183(3-4):45-50. doi:10.1093/milmed/usx074
  17. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Recommendation Statement: Weight Loss to Prevent Obesity-Related Morbidity and Mortality in Adults: Behavioral Interventions. Updated Sep. 18, 2018. Accessed Jul. 18, 2023. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/obesity-in-adults-interventions
  18. The Management of Adult Overweight and Obesity Work Group, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Adult Overweight and Obesity. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense; 2020. https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/CD/obesity/VADoDObesityCPGFinal5087242020.pdf 
  19. Saxon DR, Iwamoto SJ, Mettenbrink CJ, et al. Antiobesity medication use in 2.2 million adults across eight large health care organizations: 2009-2015. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2019;27(12):1975-1981. doi:10.1002/oby.22581
  20. Thomas CE, Mauer EA, Shukla AP, Rathi S, Aronne LJ. Low adoption of weight loss medications: a comparison of prescribing patterns of antiobesity pharmacotherapies and SGLT2s. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2016;24(9):1955-1961. doi:10.1002/oby.21533
  21. Zhang S, Manne S, Lin J, Yang J. Characteristics of patients potentially eligible for pharmacotherapy for weight loss in primary care practice in the United States. Obes Sci Prac. 2016;2(2):104-114. doi:10.1002/osp4.46

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