A recent study reveals that people who stop using new weight-loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro tend to recover lost weight far faster than those who stop traditional diet and exercise programs.
Research printed in a major medical journal demonstrates that while overweight individuals often shed a large proportion of their total mass while undergoing treatment, the mass returns at an average rate of 0.8 kg per month once they quit.
"Individuals buying these drugs should be aware of the potential of rapid weight regain when the treatment ends," cautioned expert Dr. Susan Jebb.
This pace of recovery means a return to starting weight within about a year and a half.
Weighing Approaches
The research, which examined 37 of trials involving thousands of participants, compared the effects of the injectable medications with conventional dieting.
The team emphasize that individuals who shed pounds through dieting generally have a more gradual creep back—approximately 0.1 kg a month—after stopping.
Explaining the Fast Regain
Doctors believe the way of the injections is key to understanding the amplified regain.
The injections mimic a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate hunger.
"Artificially providing the hormone levels far above than normal could lead to the body to produce less of its own natural GLP-1, and could diminish sensitivity to its effects," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition expert.
"Withdrawal of this medication results in hunger is unsuppressed, making excessive eating a significant risk."
A Chronic Condition?
Health authorities advise the jabs for individuals with obesity-related medical conditions, alongside prescribed lifestyle changes.
Many experts contend that, given the likelihood of relapse, the treatment should be considered life-long.
This view is supported by drug manufacturers, who state that the findings "emphasize the long-term nature of excess weight," akin to managing diseases like hypertension.
User Experiences
Users who have come off the jabs describe a intense return of cravings.
"I experienced something flipping and you become ravenous," described a patient.
The struggle is compounded if individuals have not established permanent lifestyle or habit modifications during therapy.
Significant Interest
Survey data indicate that millions of people in the UK have tried these injections in the past year, with desire being substantial.
- Use is greater among females compared to males.
- The middle-aged demographic shows the greatest usage rates.
- Many obtain the medications through private prescriptions rather than the NHS.
Finally, researchers stress that while these medications are powerful agents for shedding pounds, they are not a standalone fix and lasting health benefits relies on combined behavioural management.
