According to researchers, individuals utilizing weight loss injections require continuous assistance as a recent study revealed that they tend to regain lost weight much quicker than those following traditional dieting methods. A study conducted by the University of Oxford found that individuals using medications like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) experience weight loss during treatment but typically regain the weight within 20 months of discontinuing the injections.
Moreover, the improvements in blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure also diminish once individuals cease the drugs, leading them back to their initial weight status. Conversely, individuals supported through healthier eating habits and physical activity tend to maintain weight loss for a longer duration, approximately up to four years, although they eventually regain the weight on average.
The study findings coincide with separate research from University College London (UCL) and the University of Cambridge, indicating that individuals prescribed the latest weight loss medications may face risks of nutritional deficiencies and muscle loss. Currently, Wegovy is limited to a two-year NHS prescription, while there are no restrictions on Mounjaro.
Most individuals using Wegovy and Mounjaro opt for private payment due to NHS medication access constraints. Nevertheless, studies suggest that around half of these individuals discontinue their weight loss medication because they can no longer afford private injections, experience side effects, or have achieved their weight loss goals.
The Oxford study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), encompassed 37 studies involving over 9,000 participants with an average treatment duration of 10 months and an average follow-up of eight months.
Individuals on any form of weight loss medication typically shed an average of 8.3kg during treatment but regain 4.8kg within the first year, ultimately returning to their initial weight within 1.7 years after discontinuing the drugs. Specifically, those on Wegovy and Mounjaro initially lose just under 15kg but regain 10kg within the first year after treatment cessation.
Based on projections from the study’s one-year data, individuals using these medications regain all lost weight within 1.5 years. Additionally, all cardiometabolic markers, such as blood glucose and cholesterol, revert to baseline levels 1.4 years post-treatment discontinuation.
Professor Susan Jebb, an expert in diet and population health from the University of Oxford, highlighted that weight regain post-medication is rapid and common. She emphasized the need for a long-term solution, such as obesity injections or behavioral support, or a combination of both, to address obesity effectively as a chronic condition.
Prof Jebb further emphasized that individuals offered behavioral programs alongside drug treatment tend to achieve greater weight loss. However, sustaining weight loss becomes challenging once drug treatment ends, indicating the necessity for continuous intervention to manage weight effectively over time.
Concerns were raised in the study regarding the cost-effectiveness of drug treatment within the NHS. The researchers recommended prolonged treatment with weight management medications to maintain the health benefits since obesity is considered a chronic and relapsing condition.
Dr. Adam Collins, an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Surrey, pointed out that weight regain accelerates upon discontinuation of these medications, attributing it to the mechanisms of GLP-1 agonists. He highlighted the challenges individuals face once they no longer receive the appetite-suppressing effects of these drugs.
Furthermore, additional research highlighted the lack of comprehensive nutritional guidance for individuals using semaglutide and tirzepatide, emphasizing the importance of integrating nutritional care alongside treatment to prevent potential health issues.
An NHS spokesperson reiterated the importance of combining weight loss treatments with behavioral and lifestyle support to ensure sustainable weight management. The NHS continues to introduce innovative approaches to assist individuals in achieving safe and long-term weight loss.