New research reveals that individuals who come off new slimming jabs like Mounjaro or Wegovy may regain lost weight at a significantly accelerated pace than those who stop traditional lifestyle plans.
Published data in a prominent medical journal points out that while obese individuals can lose about a fifth of their body weight while on the medication, the weight comes back at an average rate of nearly a kilo each month upon discontinuation.
"Users using such treatments must be aware of the risk of fast rebound weight gain when the therapy ends," stated expert Dr. Susan Jebb.
That rate of recovery means a reversion to original weight within about a year and a half.
Weighing Treatments
The study, which examined 37 of trials involving thousands of patients, compared the results of GLP-1 agonists with conventional dieting.
The team point out that people who lose weight through dieting typically experience a slower weight regain—around 0.1 kg a month—after stopping.
The Reason for the Quick Regain
Experts suggest the mechanism of the injections accounts for the accelerated rebound.
These medications copy a natural hormone called GLP-1, which moderates feelings of fullness.
"Artificially providing the hormone levels far above than the body's typical production may cause the system to produce less of its endogenous hormone, and may also lessen responsiveness to its effects," explained Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics expert.
"Stopping of this GLP-1 'fix' means appetite is unsuppressed, making overeating much more probable."
A Chronic Disease?
The NHS recommend the jabs for people with weight-linked medical conditions, alongside prescribed lifestyle changes.
Professionals say that, given the significant potential of relapse, the treatment should be considered long-term.
This perspective is echoed by pharmaceutical companies, who say that the findings "emphasize the chronic nature of obesity," similar to managing diseases like diabetes.
User Accounts
Individuals who have discontinued the jabs report a powerful return of appetite.
"It felt as if a trigger flipping and you're instantly ravenous," recalled one woman.
This challenge is exacerbated if users have not developed permanent dietary or behavioural modifications during treatment.
Significant Adoption
Recent estimates suggest that millions of people in the UK have tried weight-loss jabs in the last 12 months, with interest being substantial.
- Use is more common among females than males.
- The middle-aged age group shows the greatest level of interest.
- Many access the drugs through private healthcare rather than the NHS.
Finally, researchers stress that while the jabs are potent agents for shedding pounds, they are not a standalone fix and maintained weight loss hinges on ongoing lifestyle support.
