Fresh analysis suggests that patients who come off popular weight-loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro may regain shed pounds much more quickly than those who end conventional diet and exercise regimens.
Findings released in a prominent health publication demonstrates that while overweight people can lose about a fifth of their body weight while undergoing treatment, the weight comes back at an estimated rate of nearly a kilo each month after stopping.
"Users using such drugs need to be aware of the risk of quick weight regain when the therapy concludes," stated researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
This pace of recovery means a reversion to starting weight within about a year and a half.
Weighing Therapies
The study, which examined 37 of trials involving over 9,000 of participants, compared the outcomes of these new drugs with other pills.
The team note that individuals who lose weight through dieting usually experience a more gradual weight regain—around 0.1 kg a month—after stopping.
The Reason for the Fast Regain
Nutrition scientists propose the mechanism of the injections is key to understanding the amplified weight return.
GLP-1 drugs mimic a body's own chemical called GLP-1, which controls hunger.
"Long-term administration of the hormone levels several times higher than normal could lead to the system to produce less of its own natural hormone, and could reduce sensitivity to its actions," said Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics specialist.
"Stopping of this hormone supplement leads to hunger is unsuppressed, making overeating a significant risk."
A Lifelong Condition?
Medical guidelines recommend the jabs for individuals with weight-linked health risks, alongside prescribed lifestyle changes.
Many experts say that, due to the high risk of weight regain, the treatment is often long-term.
This perspective is echoed by drug manufacturers, who note that the results "emphasize the chronic nature of obesity," akin to managing diseases like diabetes.
User Experiences
People who have come off the jabs explain a powerful return of cravings.
"It was like a trigger activating and you're instantly ravenous," recalled one woman.
This challenge is exacerbated if users have not adopted permanent dietary or behavioural modifications during therapy.
Growing Adoption
Figures show that millions of adults in the UK have tried weight-loss jabs in the last 12 months, with interest continuing to grow.
- Use is greater among women compared to men.
- The middle-aged age group shows the greatest usage rates.
- A large proportion access the drugs through private healthcare rather than the NHS.
Ultimately, clinicians stress that while these medications are powerful tools for shedding pounds, they are not a permanent cure and maintained weight loss relies on integrated lifestyle changes.
