A recent study indicates that people who discontinue popular weight-loss injections like Mounjaro or Wegovy may regain lost weight at a significantly accelerated pace than those who stop traditional diet and exercise plans.
Research printed in a major medical journal points out that while overweight people frequently drop about a fifth of their body weight while using the jabs, the mass returns at an average rate of nearly a kilo each month after stopping.
"Individuals using these drugs should be informed of the potential of fast rebound weight gain when the medication concludes," warns researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
Such speed of regain implies a return to pre-treatment mass within about one and a half years.
Weighing Therapies
The analysis, which looked at dozens of trials involving over 9,000 of participants, compared the results of these new drugs with older methods.
Scientists emphasize that individuals who shed pounds through dieting generally experience a slower weight regain—around 0.1 kg a month—once they finish.
Explaining the Quick Regain
Experts believe the mechanism of the drugs explains the heightened weight return.
These medications mimic a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which moderates hunger.
"Artificially providing the hormone levels several times higher than the body's typical production may cause the body to produce less of its own natural GLP-1, and may also lessen sensitivity to its actions," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics researcher.
"Withdrawal of this GLP-1 'fix' leads to appetite is unsuppressed, making excessive eating a significant risk."
A Chronic Disease?
The NHS suggest the jabs for individuals with obesity-related medical conditions, accompanied by prescribed diet and exercise modifications.
Many experts contend that, due to the significant potential of relapse, the therapy might need to be long-term.
This opinion is echoed by pharmaceutical companies, who say that the results "emphasize the long-term nature of excess weight," comparing it to managing diseases like hypertension.
Patient Accounts
People who have discontinued the medication explain a sudden return of hunger.
"I experienced a trigger flipping and you become extremely hungry," recalled one woman.
This challenge is compounded if users have not developed permanent dietary or behavioural modifications during treatment.
Growing Adoption
Survey data show that millions of people in the UK have used weight-loss jabs in the past year, with desire continuing to grow.
- Adoption is higher among females compared to males.
- The middle-aged age group shows the highest level of interest.
- A large proportion obtain the drugs through private healthcare rather than public health services.
Ultimately, clinicians caution that while GLP-1 drugs are effective agents for weight loss, they are not a standalone fix and lasting health benefits likely depends on combined behavioural changes.
