A recent study reveals that individuals who come off popular slimming jabs like semaglutide or tirzepatide tend to recover reduced body mass much more quickly than those who end traditional lifestyle regimens.
Research printed in a major medical journal shows that while overweight people often shed a large proportion of their body weight while on the medication, the weight is regained at an average rate of 0.8 kg per month upon discontinuation.
"People buying these treatments need to be cognizant of the potential of rapid rebound weight gain when the treatment concludes," warns lead investigator Dr. Susan Jebb.
Such speed of regain suggests a reversion to original weight within about one and a half years.
Weighing Treatments
The analysis, which reviewed dozens of studies involving thousands of participants, compared the results of the injectable medications with other pills.
The team emphasize that individuals who lose weight through lifestyle changes alone generally have a more gradual weight regain—perhaps 0.1 kg a month—after stopping.
The Reason for the Rapid Rebound
Doctors believe the mechanism of the injections is key to understanding the heightened regain.
These medications copy a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which controls hunger.
"Long-term administration of the hormone concentrations far above than the body's typical production could lead to the body to generate a reduced amount of its endogenous GLP-1, and could lessen responsiveness to its actions," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics specialist.
"Stopping of this hormone supplement means appetite is unsuppressed, making excessive eating far more likely."
A Chronic Disease?
Medical guidelines advise the injections for individuals with obesity-related medical conditions, accompanied by recommended lifestyle changes.
Professionals say that, given the high risk of weight regain, the treatment is often long-term.
This view is supported by pharmaceutical companies, who state that the findings "underscore the long-term character of obesity," similar to managing diseases like hypertension.
User Experiences
Individuals who have discontinued the medication describe a powerful resurgence of appetite.
"It felt as if a switch activating and you become extremely hungry," said a patient.
This difficulty is exacerbated if individuals have not developed permanent lifestyle or habit modifications during therapy.
Significant Interest
Survey data suggest that millions of adults in the UK have used weight-loss jabs in the past year, with interest remaining high.
- Adoption is greater among women compared to men.
- The 40s and 50s age group shows the greatest level of interest.
- Many access the medications through private healthcare rather than the NHS.
Ultimately, researchers emphasize that while these medications are powerful agents for weight loss, they are not a standalone fix and lasting health benefits likely depends on combined lifestyle changes.
