Hales CM, Gu Q, Ogden CL, et al. - Analyzing trends in the use of obesogenic medications among adults, it was realized that they commonly use obesogenic medications. Changing availability of obesogenic vs nonobesogenic medications over time could be reflected by the differences in the proportional use of obesogenic medication. The decision to prescribe a nonobesogenic alternative, if one exists, is guided by weighing the risks and advantages of available options.

• This study used cross-sectional data on adults aged ≥20 years from the 1999 to 2018 NHANES (n = 52,340), and applied the 2015 Endocrine Society guidelines on the pharmacological management of obesity in order to define obesogenic medications.

• Use of an obesogenic medication was evident in 20.3% of US adults in NHANES 2017-2018.

• The most common included beta-blockers (9.8%) and antidiabetics (5.7%) and the least common ones were antipsychotics (1.0%).

• Following were the most common indications: disorders of glucose metabolism, hypertension, neuralgia or neuritis, heart disease, and musculoskeletal pain and/or inflammation.

• Regarding the proportional use of obesogenic medications from 1999 to 2018, an increase was noted for anticonvulsants (34.4% to 55.0%) but decrease was evident for antidepressants (32.1% to 18.8%), antidiabetics (82.9% to 52.5%), and beta-blockers (83.9% to 80.7%).

• No association was found between the proportional use of obesogenic medications and weight status, except for antipsychotics.