New research reveals that patients who stop using popular weight-loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro tend to recover shed pounds far faster than those who stop traditional lifestyle plans.
Published data in a prominent medical journal demonstrates that while obese people often shed a large proportion of their body weight while undergoing treatment, the mass is regained at an estimated rate of nearly a kilo each month once they quit.
"Users buying these drugs should be aware of the risk of fast rebound weight gain when the treatment concludes," cautioned researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
That rate of recovery implies a return to original weight in about one and a half years.
Comparing Approaches
The research, which examined 37 of studies involving thousands of participants, compared the outcomes of the injectable medications with conventional dieting.
The team note that people who shed pounds through diet and exercise generally have a slower weight regain—around 0.1 kg a month—once they finish.
Understanding the Quick Regain
Nutrition scientists suggest the mode of action of the jabs explains the accelerated rebound.
GLP-1 drugs mimic a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which moderates feelings of fullness.
"Sustained high doses of GLP-1 levels far above than the body's typical production might result in the system to generate a reduced amount of its endogenous GLP-1, and could lessen responsiveness to its actions," said Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition researcher.
"Discontinuation of this GLP-1 'fix' results in appetite is no longer kept in check, making binge eating much more probable."
An Ongoing Issue?
Health authorities suggest the jabs for individuals with weight-linked medical conditions, accompanied by prescribed diet and exercise modifications.
Many experts say that, considering the high risk of weight regain, the treatment should be considered ongoing.
This view is supported by drug manufacturers, who state that the findings "underscore the long-term nature of obesity," akin to managing diseases like high blood pressure.
Patient Accounts
Individuals who have come off the medication report a powerful return of appetite.
"It felt as if something that goes on and I was suddenly extremely hungry," recalled a patient.
This difficulty is compounded if patients have not established lasting lifestyle or habit modifications during therapy.
Growing Interest
Figures indicate that millions of adults in the UK have used weight-loss jabs in the last 12 months, with demand being substantial.
- Adoption is more common among females compared to men.
- The middle-aged age group shows the highest usage rates.
- A large proportion access the medications through private healthcare rather than the NHS.
In conclusion, experts emphasize that while the jabs are powerful agents for shedding pounds, they are not a standalone solution and maintained weight loss relies on combined lifestyle changes.
