Weight regain observed after fat jab treatment ends

Recent research reveals that patients regain weight shortly after stopping fat-jab medications.

Weight regain follows fat jab treatment cessation

Recent studies indicate that individuals using weight-loss injections experience weight gain just two months after discontinuing treatment. These drugs, effective for many who struggle with obesity, block hunger signals during their administration. However, a review of eleven studies with over 2,000 participants showed that while patients maintained weight loss for four weeks after stopping, most began regaining weight by the eighth week, with an average recovery nearing half of the lost weight. Experts stress the need for long-term solutions to obesity, underscoring that medications alone cannot resolve the issue. This trend raises concerns, as NHS prescriptions for treatments like Wegovy and Mounjaro surged to 2.7 million in England last year, with an upward trend in private prescriptions potentially neglecting important lifestyle changes.

The findings about weight regain post-treatment reflect broader issues in obesity management. While weight-loss drugs provide immediate benefits, they often do not address underlying lifestyle factors which are crucial for sustained success. As Katherine Jenner of the Obesity Health Alliance noted, emphasizing lifestyle changes alongside medication is vital. This pattern of regain poses a challenge not just for individuals, but also for health systems relying on medication as the primary solution to obesity. Without a comprehensive approach intertwining both pharmacological and behavioral strategies, the obesity epidemic may likely persist unabated.

Highlights

The ongoing struggle with obesity emphasizes the need for a holistic approach beyond medication alone.