New research reveals that individuals who come off new weight-loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro can put back on lost weight at a significantly accelerated pace than those who halt traditional lifestyle plans.
Published data in a leading medical journal shows that while obese people often shed a large proportion of their total mass while using the jabs, the mass comes back at an estimated rate of 0.8 kg per month once they quit.
"Users using these drugs must be cognizant of the risk of rapid rebound weight gain when the therapy is stopped," stated researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
That rate of recovery implies a return to pre-treatment weight in about one and a half years.
Comparing Therapies
The study, which looked at dozens of trials involving over 9,000 of participants, compared the results of the injectable medications with conventional dieting.
Scientists point out that people who lose weight through lifestyle changes alone generally experience a more gradual creep back—around 100 grams monthly—after stopping.
The Reason for the Quick Rebound
Nutrition scientists suggest the mechanism of the jabs explains the heightened rebound.
These medications copy a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which controls feelings of fullness.
"Artificially providing GLP-1 concentrations far above than the body's typical production could lead to the system to generate a reduced amount of its own natural hormone, and could diminish responsiveness to its actions," explained Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics researcher.
"Stopping of this medication leads to appetite is no longer kept in check, making binge eating much more probable."
A Lifelong Condition?
Health authorities recommend the injections for people with weight-linked medical conditions, alongside recommended lifestyle changes.
A number of clinicians contend that, due to the high risk of weight regain, the treatment should be considered life-long.
This perspective is supported by pharmaceutical companies, who note that the results "emphasize the chronic character of excess weight," similar to managing conditions like diabetes.
Patient Accounts
Individuals who have discontinued the jabs report a intense return of hunger.
"I experienced a switch flipping and I was suddenly ravenous," recalled a patient.
This challenge is compounded if users have not established permanent lifestyle or habit changes during treatment.
Significant Adoption
Recent estimates suggest that millions of adults in the UK have used these injections in the past year, with interest continuing to grow.
- Use is higher among females compared to males.
- The 40s and 50s age group shows the highest usage rates.
- A large proportion obtain the drugs through private healthcare rather than public health services.
Ultimately, experts emphasize that while these medications are effective tools for shedding pounds, they are not a standalone solution and maintained weight loss hinges on ongoing behavioural changes.
