Fresh analysis suggests that individuals who stop using new weight-loss injections like Mounjaro or Wegovy tend to recover lost weight at a significantly accelerated pace than those who end traditional lifestyle plans.
Published data in a major medical journal demonstrates that while obese people can lose a large proportion of their body weight while using the jabs, the mass is regained at an average rate of 0.8 kg per month upon discontinuation.
"Users using such medications must be cognizant of the danger of fast weight regain when the therapy concludes," stated lead investigator Dr. Susan Jebb.
Such speed of regain means a return to original mass in about 18 months.
Analyzing Approaches
The study, which reviewed 37 of studies involving over 9,000 of patients, contrasted the outcomes of these new drugs with other pills.
Scientists point out that people who shed pounds through dieting generally have a more gradual weight regain—approximately 0.1 kg a month—post-intervention.
Explaining the Quick Rebound
Nutrition scientists believe the mode of action of the drugs explains the accelerated rebound.
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate hunger.
"Sustained high doses of the hormone concentrations several times higher than normal might result in the system to generate a reduced amount of its own natural GLP-1, and may also diminish responsiveness to its actions," said Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics researcher.
"Stopping of this GLP-1 'fix' leads to hunger is no longer kept in check, making overeating much more probable."
An Ongoing Disease?
The NHS advise the jabs for individuals with weight-linked medical conditions, alongside prescribed diet and exercise modifications.
Professionals contend that, due to the likelihood of relapse, the treatment should be considered ongoing.
This opinion is reinforced by pharmaceutical companies, who state that the results "underscore the long-term character of obesity," akin to managing conditions like high blood pressure.
Patient Experiences
People who have discontinued the jabs explain a intense return of cravings.
"It was like a trigger flipping and I was suddenly starving," described a patient.
This challenge is worsened if individuals have not adopted permanent dietary or behavioural changes during treatment.
Growing Adoption
Recent estimates indicate that millions of people in the UK have tried these injections in the past year, with interest continuing to grow.
- Adoption is higher among women than males.
- The middle-aged demographic shows the highest level of interest.
- A large proportion obtain the medications through private prescriptions rather than public health services.
Ultimately, experts emphasize that while the jabs are powerful tools for weight loss, they are not a magic fix and lasting health benefits likely depends on integrated lifestyle changes.
