A recent review reveals that individuals who are overweight or obese and discontinue their weight-loss medications tend to regain weight more rapidly compared to those who halt a diet or exercise regimen. The popularity of weight loss medications containing semaglutide, found in Ozempic and Wegovy, has surged. However, approximately half of individuals with obesity using these medications, known as glucagon-like peptide agonists or GLP-1s, stop taking them within a year due to high costs and gastrointestinal side effects.
Researchers emphasize the significance of comprehending weight regain due to the associated risks of diabetes and heart disease from excess weight. To address this issue, a review conducted by Sam West, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, and colleagues examined studies on over 6,000 overweight or obese adults who took GLP-1s or older weight-loss medications versus 3,000 participants in behavioral weight management programs.
Upon cessation of treatment, individuals treated with weight-loss drugs regained an average of 0.4 kg per month, leading to an average weight regain of 4.8 kilograms or 10 pounds in the initial year. The review suggests that risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure levels, would return to pre-treatment levels within less than two years.
The rapid weight regain post-medication cessation was highlighted by West, who noted that individuals discontinuing weight-loss medications regained weight nearly four times faster than those who stopped exercising or adhering to their diets. Notably, individuals who ceased behavioral programs also experienced weight regain.
Dr. Sonja Reichert, an associate professor at Western University specializing in obesity and diabetes treatment, cautions that new weight loss medications are not a quick fix for obesity, emphasizing the need for long-term usage. Reichert underscores the chronic nature of obesity and likens the continuous medication requirement to managing other chronic conditions like high blood pressure.
The article also features the story of Heather White, who discontinued Ozempic due to side effects but later opted for another weight-loss medication, Mounjaro, which she found more tolerable. The challenges associated with weight regain post-treatment are attributed to the temporary effects of GLP-1 medications on hunger suppression.
Dana Small, a professor at McGill University, suggests that while GLP-1 drugs are beneficial, efforts should focus on sustaining weight loss through lifestyle modifications and altering the food environment. Support during treatment, including nutritional guidance, was found to aid in weight loss success.
Reichert underscores the importance of developing strategies to manage hunger once individuals discontinue weight-loss medications. The future direction in the field holds promise for improved access to medications, potential cost reductions, and enhanced behavioral support to promote healthy lifestyle changes and combat bias against individuals with obesity.
