A recent study indicates that patients who stop using popular slimming jabs like Mounjaro or Wegovy tend to recover lost weight at a significantly accelerated pace than those who halt conventional lifestyle regimens.
Published data in a leading health publication shows that while obese individuals can lose a large proportion of their body weight while using the jabs, the weight returns at an average rate of nearly a kilo each month upon discontinuation.
"Individuals buying such treatments should be informed of the danger of fast weight regain when the treatment ends," stated researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
That rate of regain suggests a return to starting mass within about one and a half years.
Weighing Approaches
The research, which examined dozens of trials involving thousands of participants, contrasted the outcomes of these new drugs with conventional dieting.
The team point out that people who lose weight through diet and exercise typically see a more gradual weight regain—around 0.1 kg a month—after stopping.
Explaining the Rapid Regain
Doctors believe the way of the jabs accounts for the heightened weight return.
These medications copy a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which controls appetite.
"Long-term administration of the hormone levels several times higher than normal may cause the body to generate a reduced amount of its own natural GLP-1, and may also diminish sensitivity to its actions," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics researcher.
"Withdrawal of this hormone supplement leads to appetite is unsuppressed, making overeating far more likely."
An Ongoing Disease?
Medical guidelines recommend the jabs for individuals with obesity-related health risks, accompanied by recommended lifestyle changes.
A number of clinicians say that, due to the likelihood of relapse, the therapy is often long-term.
This opinion is supported by pharmaceutical companies, who state that the results "underscore the chronic character of excess weight," akin to managing diseases like hypertension.
Patient Experiences
People who have discontinued the medication describe a sudden return of appetite.
"I experienced a switch activating and you're instantly extremely hungry," recalled an individual.
This challenge is compounded if individuals have not established permanent lifestyle or habit modifications during therapy.
Widespread Use
Figures indicate that a significant number of adults in the UK have used weight-loss jabs in the past year, with interest continuing to grow.
- Use is more common among women than males.
- The 40s and 50s demographic shows the greatest usage rates.
- A large proportion obtain the medications through private healthcare rather than the NHS.
Finally, clinicians caution that while GLP-1 drugs are powerful tools for weight loss, they are not a standalone fix and maintained weight loss likely depends on ongoing lifestyle support.
