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Weight Loss Jabs: Gain Back Pounds Faster Than You Lose Them
8 Jan
Summary
- Weight lost on jabs is regained within 20 months of stopping.
- Weight regain after jabs is four times faster than traditional dieting.
- Experts call for long-term support for users of weight loss drugs.
Individuals using popular weight loss injections are regaining lost weight significantly faster than previously understood, according to new research. A study published in the British Medical Journal indicates that patients stop taking weight loss drugs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, tend to regain lost pounds within 20 months of discontinuing treatment. This rebound effect is approximately four times quicker compared to individuals who achieve weight loss through lifestyle changes alone.
The research, analyzing data from over 9,000 participants across 37 studies, found that while patients on these medications lost an average of 8.3kg, they regained 4.8kg within the first year after stopping. Those on higher-dose medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro regained nearly 10kg in the first year. Cardiometabolic markers also returned to pre-treatment levels within 1.4 years.
Experts are now calling for comprehensive, long-term support for those using weight loss jabs. They suggest that obesity is a chronic condition, akin to high blood pressure, and may require lifelong treatment, whether through continued medication, behavioral support, or a combination of both. Without ongoing strategies, the effectiveness of these powerful drugs diminishes once treatment ceases.
