A recent study reveals that individuals who stop using popular weight-loss injections like Mounjaro or Wegovy tend to recover shed pounds far faster than those who halt conventional diet and exercise programs.
Findings released in a prominent health publication demonstrates that while overweight people can lose about a fifth of their total mass while using the jabs, the mass is regained at an average rate of nearly a kilo each month after stopping.
"Individuals using such medications should be informed of the danger of fast weight regain when the therapy concludes," cautioned lead investigator Dr. Susan Jebb.
That rate of regain implies a return to original mass within about one and a half years.
Analyzing Treatments
The research, which looked at 37 of trials involving over 9,000 of patients, compared the results of these new drugs with other pills.
The team point out that individuals who shed pounds through lifestyle changes alone typically see a less rapid weight regain—around 100 grams monthly—post-intervention.
The Reason for the Fast Rebound
Experts propose the way of the injections accounts for the accelerated regain.
GLP-1 drugs mimic a natural hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate feelings of fullness.
"Artificially providing the hormone concentrations far above than normal may cause the system to generate a reduced amount of its own natural GLP-1, and could diminish sensitivity to its actions," said Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics specialist.
"Stopping of this GLP-1 'fix' leads to hunger is unsuppressed, making overeating a significant risk."
A Chronic Disease?
Medical guidelines advise the injections for people with obesity-related medical conditions, accompanied by prescribed diet and exercise modifications.
Professionals say that, considering the likelihood of relapse, the treatment is often ongoing.
This perspective is supported by drug manufacturers, who say that the findings "underscore the chronic nature of excess weight," similar to managing conditions like hypertension.
Patient Accounts
Users who have stopped the jabs report a sudden return of cravings.
"I experienced a trigger flipping and you become extremely hungry," recalled a patient.
This challenge is exacerbated if users have not developed sustainable dietary or behavioural modifications during therapy.
Significant Adoption
Recent estimates suggest that a significant number of adults in the UK have tried weight-loss jabs in the past year, with interest being substantial.
- Adoption is more common among women compared to men.
- The middle-aged age group shows the highest usage rates.
- A large proportion access the drugs through private healthcare rather than public health services.
Ultimately, experts caution that while the jabs are effective tools for shedding pounds, they are not a permanent fix and maintained weight loss likely depends on ongoing behavioural management.
