Fresh analysis suggests that patients who discontinue new weight-loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro can put back on reduced body mass at a significantly accelerated pace than those who stop traditional diet and exercise regimens.
Findings released in a prominent health publication points out that while overweight individuals can lose substantial amounts of their total mass while on the medication, the mass comes back at an estimated rate of 0.8 kg per month once they quit.
"People purchasing such drugs should be aware of the risk of quick weight regain when the therapy ends," stated expert Dr. Susan Jebb.
Such speed of recovery means a reversion to starting mass within about 18 months.
Weighing Therapies
The analysis, which reviewed 37 of trials involving over 9,000 of participants, compared the outcomes of the injectable medications with other pills.
Researchers emphasize that people who lose weight through dieting generally have a slower weight regain—around 0.1 kg a month—post-intervention.
Explaining the Fast Rebound
Nutrition scientists suggest the mode of action of the jabs explains the accelerated regain.
These medications copy a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which controls feelings of fullness.
"Artificially providing GLP-1 concentrations far above than normal might result in the body to generate a reduced amount of its own natural GLP-1, and could lessen responsiveness to its actions," explained Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics researcher.
"Stopping of this hormone supplement means hunger is unsuppressed, making excessive eating far more likely."
A Lifelong Issue?
The NHS suggest the injections for individuals with weight-linked medical conditions, accompanied by prescribed diet and exercise modifications.
Many experts contend that, due to the high risk of relapse, the therapy might need to be long-term.
This view is reinforced by pharmaceutical companies, who state that the findings "highlight the persistent nature of excess weight," similar to managing diseases like diabetes.
Patient Testimonies
People who have stopped the jabs explain a sudden resurgence of hunger.
"It was like something that goes on and you're instantly starving," said one woman.
This difficulty is compounded if patients have not adopted permanent lifestyle or habit changes during therapy.
Growing Use
Recent estimates indicate that millions of adults in the UK have used weight-loss jabs in the past year, with demand continuing to grow.
- Adoption is more common among women compared to men.
- The 40s and 50s demographic shows the greatest usage rates.
- A large proportion obtain the medications through private healthcare rather than the NHS.
In conclusion, clinicians caution that while GLP-1 drugs are effective tools for weight loss, they are not a magic fix and lasting health benefits likely depends on combined lifestyle changes.
