New research reveals that individuals who stop using new weight-loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro may regain shed pounds much more quickly than those who stop conventional diet and exercise plans.
Research printed in a prominent medical journal shows that while obese individuals frequently drop about a fifth of their total mass while on the medication, the mass returns at an average rate of 0.8 kg per month after stopping.
"Users buying such medications need to be aware of the potential of fast weight regain when the therapy is stopped," cautioned lead investigator Dr. Susan Jebb.
Such speed of recovery suggests a reversion to starting weight within about a year and a half.
Analyzing Treatments
The analysis, which examined 37 of trials involving over 9,000 of participants, contrasted the effects of these new drugs with conventional dieting.
The team emphasize that people who lose weight through lifestyle changes alone usually have a more gradual weight regain—approximately 0.1 kg a month—post-intervention.
Understanding the Fast Regain
Doctors suggest the mode of action of the injections accounts for the heightened rebound.
GLP-1 drugs mimic a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate hunger.
"Artificially providing the hormone levels several times higher than normal may cause the body to generate a reduced amount of its own natural hormone, and could lessen sensitivity to its actions," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition researcher.
"Withdrawal of this GLP-1 'fix' leads to appetite is unsuppressed, making overeating much more probable."
An Ongoing Disease?
Medical guidelines suggest the jabs for individuals with obesity-related medical conditions, accompanied by recommended diet and exercise modifications.
Many experts argue that, considering the high risk of weight regain, the therapy should be considered ongoing.
This opinion is reinforced by pharmaceutical companies, who say that the findings "emphasize the long-term character of obesity," similar to managing diseases like hypertension.
Patient Experiences
Individuals who have stopped the medication explain a sudden resurgence of appetite.
"It felt as if something that goes on and you become ravenous," recalled an individual.
This challenge is compounded if patients have not adopted permanent dietary or behavioural modifications during treatment.
Significant Adoption
Figures suggest that a significant number of people in the UK have tried these injections in the last 12 months, with demand continuing to grow.
- Adoption is more common among females compared to men.
- The middle-aged age group shows the greatest level of interest.
- A large proportion obtain the drugs through private prescriptions rather than the NHS.
Finally, clinicians stress that while the jabs are potent tools for shedding pounds, they are not a magic fix and lasting health benefits hinges on combined lifestyle support.
