Fresh analysis reveals that patients who discontinue new weight-loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro can put back on lost weight at a significantly accelerated pace than those who stop traditional diet and exercise plans.
Research printed in a major medical journal shows that while overweight individuals frequently drop a large proportion of their body weight while on the medication, the weight is regained at an average rate of nearly a kilo each month once they quit.
"People buying such medications need to be informed of the danger of quick weight regain when the medication concludes," cautioned lead investigator Dr. Susan Jebb.
This pace of regain means a reversion to pre-treatment weight within about a year and a half.
Analyzing Therapies
The analysis, which looked at 37 of trials involving thousands of participants, compared the outcomes of GLP-1 agonists with older methods.
The team note that people who shed pounds through diet and exercise usually have a slower creep back—approximately 0.1 kg a month—once they finish.
Understanding the Fast Rebound
Nutrition scientists suggest the way of the drugs explains the accelerated weight return.
These medications imitate a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which moderates appetite.
"Long-term administration of GLP-1 levels several times higher than the body's typical production may cause the body to generate a reduced amount of its own natural GLP-1, and may also reduce sensitivity to its actions," said Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition expert.
"Stopping of this medication means appetite is unsuppressed, making excessive eating far more likely."
A Chronic Issue?
Health authorities suggest the injections for people with obesity-related medical conditions, accompanied by prescribed lifestyle changes.
Professionals argue that, due to the likelihood of relapse, the treatment is often long-term.
This opinion is echoed by pharmaceutical companies, who say that the findings "highlight the persistent character of excess weight," comparing it to managing conditions like high blood pressure.
Patient Accounts
People who have stopped the jabs describe a powerful resurgence of hunger.
"It was like a switch that goes on and you're instantly starving," said one woman.
The struggle is compounded if users have not developed sustainable dietary or behavioural modifications during therapy.
Widespread Interest
Recent estimates show that millions of adults in the UK have tried weight-loss jabs in the past year, with demand continuing to grow.
- Adoption is higher among females compared to males.
- The middle-aged age group shows the greatest usage rates.
- A large proportion access the medications through private healthcare rather than the NHS.
Finally, researchers caution that while GLP-1 drugs are effective agents for shedding pounds, they are not a standalone solution and lasting health benefits likely depends on combined behavioural management.
