New research indicates that people who come off new slimming jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro can put back on shed pounds at a significantly accelerated pace than those who stop traditional lifestyle plans.
Published data in a leading medical journal demonstrates that while obese people can lose about a fifth of their total mass while undergoing treatment, the weight comes back at an average rate of nearly a kilo each month once they quit.
"Users purchasing such drugs should be aware of the potential of quick weight regain when the therapy is stopped," stated researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
That rate of regain implies a return to original mass within about 18 months.
Weighing Approaches
The analysis, which looked at dozens of trials involving thousands of patients, compared the outcomes of the injectable medications with older methods.
The team emphasize that individuals who shed pounds through diet and exercise usually see a slower creep back—approximately 0.1 kg a month—post-intervention.
The Reason for the Rapid Rebound
Doctors believe the mechanism of the injections explains the heightened regain.
The injections copy a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate feelings of fullness.
"Artificially providing the hormone concentrations several times higher than normal might result in the body to generate a reduced amount of its own natural GLP-1, and could reduce sensitivity to its actions," explained Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics expert.
"Withdrawal of this hormone supplement means appetite is unsuppressed, making overeating far more likely."
An Ongoing Issue?
Health authorities recommend the injections for individuals with weight-linked health risks, accompanied by prescribed lifestyle changes.
Many experts say that, given the high risk of relapse, the treatment might need to be life-long.
This perspective is echoed by drug manufacturers, who note that the findings "highlight the persistent nature of excess weight," akin to managing conditions like hypertension.
User Experiences
Individuals who have discontinued the medication report a sudden return of cravings.
"I experienced something flipping and I was suddenly starving," said an individual.
The struggle is worsened if individuals have not established permanent dietary or behavioural modifications during treatment.
Significant Adoption
Figures show that millions of people in the UK have used weight-loss jabs in the past year, with demand remaining high.
- Use is more common among women compared to males.
- The middle-aged age group shows the greatest level of interest.
- A large proportion obtain the drugs through private healthcare rather than public health services.
Finally, experts emphasize that while GLP-1 drugs are effective tools for shedding pounds, they are not a magic solution and lasting health benefits likely depends on combined lifestyle changes.
