A recent study indicates that individuals who stop using blockbuster slimming jabs like semaglutide or tirzepatide tend to recover lost weight at a significantly accelerated pace than those who stop conventional lifestyle programs.
Findings released in a major medical journal demonstrates that while overweight people often shed about a fifth of their body weight while on the medication, the mass comes back at an estimated rate of 0.8 kg per month upon discontinuation.
"People using these treatments should be cognizant of the danger of fast weight regain when the therapy concludes," cautioned researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
Such speed of recovery suggests a reversion to original weight within about a year and a half.
Analyzing Therapies
The research, which looked at 37 of trials involving over 9,000 of patients, compared the outcomes of the injectable medications with other pills.
Researchers point out that people who lose weight through lifestyle changes alone generally experience a less rapid weight regain—perhaps 0.1 kg a month—post-intervention.
Explaining the Rapid Rebound
Nutrition scientists believe the mode of action of the drugs explains the amplified rebound.
These medications imitate a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which controls appetite.
"Long-term administration of the hormone concentrations several times higher than the body's typical production may cause the body to produce less of its endogenous hormone, and may also reduce sensitivity to its actions," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics specialist.
"Discontinuation of this medication leads to hunger is unsuppressed, making overeating much more probable."
An Ongoing Disease?
The NHS advise the jabs for people with weight-linked medical conditions, accompanied by prescribed diet and exercise modifications.
Professionals contend that, considering the significant potential of relapse, the therapy might need to be life-long.
This view is reinforced by drug manufacturers, who note that the results "emphasize the chronic character of obesity," akin to managing conditions like diabetes.
User Accounts
People who have stopped the jabs describe a sudden return of hunger.
"It felt as if something activating and you become extremely hungry," said an individual.
This challenge is worsened if users have not adopted permanent lifestyle or habit modifications during therapy.
Growing Use
Recent estimates show that a significant number of adults in the UK have used weight-loss jabs in the past year, with demand remaining high.
- Use is greater among females compared to men.
- The 40s and 50s age group shows the greatest usage rates.
- A large proportion obtain the medications through private healthcare rather than the NHS.
Finally, researchers caution that while the jabs are effective tools for shedding pounds, they are not a magic fix and long-term success hinges on combined behavioural changes.
