If you stop using Wegovy, you will return to obesity 'shock'

A study has found that individuals who lose weight using the obesity treatment drug Wegovy may regain their original weight within a year of stopping the medication.

According to foreign media reports, including the British daily The Guardian, a research team from the University of Oxford presented their findings at the European Congress on Obesity after analyzing 11 studies on GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), the key ingredient in Wegovy.

The research team studied 6,370 adults who had taken GLP-1 medications. Among them, 1,465 were reported to be using Wegovy or Munjaro, both recommended for weight loss.

The analysis revealed that patients achieved an average weight loss of 8 kg through conventional medications, but regained their original weight within 10 months after stopping the medication.

Those who took Wegovy and Munjaro succeeded in losing an average of 16 kg, which is double the previous amount, but gained back 9.6 kg within a year. In about 20 months, they returned to their original weight.

In contrast, the research team also analyzed weight loss methods that did not involve medication.

The results showed that it took patients at least 5 years to return to their previous weight. Although weight may still increase after dieting, the rate of recovery is much slower compared to weight lost through medication.

Susan Jebb, a professor of diet and population health at the University of Oxford and a co-author of the study, stated, "Weight loss medications are very effective, but stopping the medication leads to a much faster recovery than stopping a conventional diet."

Tom Fry, president of the U.S. Obesity Forum, noted, "It is not surprising that weight recovers after using GLP-1 medications without lifestyle improvements," adding, "GLP-1 is not as effective a solution as many users think."

Meanwhile, there are calls to reduce dependence on medication when losing weight.

Jane Ogden, a professor of health psychology at Surrey University, advised, "People will likely need psychological counseling, behavioral changes, and nutritional support to maintain healthier behaviors and reduce weight in the long term."

Jason Halford, president of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, emphasized, "Weight loss medications are an adjunct to behavioral change, not a substitute," and urged that we should support patients in improving their lifestyles to maintain the effects of treatment.

Image source: Wegovy / News1, Data images to aid understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank