Stopping weight loss jabs can lead to rapid weight regain in one year, study suggests
Weight Loss Jabs May Result in Rapid Weight Regain Within a Year, Research Indicates
According to a recent study, individuals who discontinue weight loss injections may experience a substantial return of lost weight within a year, suggesting a potential challenge in maintaining long-term results.
Cambridge Study Reveals Weight Regain Patterns
Cambridge researchers discovered that, 52 weeks after discontinuing the injections, participants on average regained 60% of the weight they had previously lost. The study highlights concerns that the majority of the weight recovered might be fat, potentially leaving patients in a less favorable health state than before.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: From Diabetes to Obesity Treatment
These weight loss medications, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, function by replicating the effects of the hormone GLP-1 to manage blood sugar and insulin. Initially developed for type 2 diabetes, variants like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are now utilized on the NHS to combat obesity. Additionally, recent findings suggest their potential in addressing substance addictions, including alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics.
Substance Use Reduction Observed in US Veterans
A separate analysis of over 600,000 U.S. veterans, spanning three years, revealed a 14% decrease in substance use disorders among those without prior addiction issues. For those already affected, GLP-1 treatments were associated with a 31% reduction in emergency care visits, hospitalizations, and related risks.
“Our projections show that even though people regain most of the weight they have lost, they still maintain some of the weight loss,” said Brajan Budini, a medical student at the University of Cambridge. “However, it remains unclear whether lean mass is equally recovered, which could impact overall health outcomes.”
The Cambridge investigation, which pooled data from six trials involving more than 3,200 individuals, emphasized that weight regain typically stabilizes after 60 weeks, with only 25% of the lost weight likely to persist. The findings were published in eClinicalMedicine, underscoring the need for further exploration of weight composition changes during and post-treatment.
Researchers advocate for additional trials to examine the long-term effects of these injections on body composition. The studies also mention that similar results were observed in women, despite the primary focus on older male participants.
