A recent study reveals that people who stop using popular weight-loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro may regain lost weight at a significantly accelerated pace than those who end conventional lifestyle programs.
Published data in a leading health publication shows that while overweight people frequently drop substantial amounts of their body weight while on the medication, the mass returns at an estimated rate of nearly a kilo each month once they quit.
"Individuals purchasing such drugs need to be informed of the risk of fast weight regain when the treatment ends," warns lead investigator Dr. Susan Jebb.
That rate of recovery means a reversion to pre-treatment weight within about 18 months.
Comparing Treatments
The research, which examined 37 of studies involving thousands of patients, compared the outcomes of the injectable medications with other pills.
The team note that people who shed pounds through lifestyle changes alone generally have a more gradual creep back—around 100 grams monthly—post-intervention.
The Reason for the Rapid Regain
Nutrition scientists propose the mechanism of the injections explains the accelerated rebound.
The injections mimic a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate appetite.
"Sustained high doses of the hormone concentrations several times higher than the body's typical production might result in the system to generate a reduced amount of its endogenous GLP-1, and could reduce responsiveness to its actions," explained Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition researcher.
"Stopping of this hormone supplement leads to appetite is unsuppressed, making overeating a significant risk."
An Ongoing Disease?
The NHS suggest the injections for people with obesity-related medical conditions, accompanied by recommended lifestyle changes.
Many experts say that, due to the significant potential of relapse, the treatment is often ongoing.
This view is reinforced by pharmaceutical companies, who note that the findings "underscore the chronic character of excess weight," comparing it to managing conditions like high blood pressure.
Patient Experiences
Users who have stopped the jabs describe a sudden return of cravings.
"It was like a trigger that goes on and you become extremely hungry," described an individual.
This difficulty is compounded if individuals have not adopted lasting lifestyle or habit modifications during treatment.
Growing Interest
Survey data indicate that a significant number of people in the UK have used these injections in the last 12 months, with interest remaining high.
- Adoption is greater among women compared to men.
- The 40s and 50s demographic shows the highest level of interest.
- Many obtain the medications through private healthcare rather than public health services.
In conclusion, researchers emphasize that while GLP-1 drugs are powerful agents for shedding pounds, they are not a magic fix and long-term success relies on ongoing behavioural management.
