Entertainment
Study shows how fast kilos return after ending weight-loss drugs
PARIS: When people stop taking the new generation of weight-loss drugs they pile back on the kilos four times faster than they would after ending diet and exercise regimes, new research found Thursday.
But this was mostly because they lost so much weight in the first place, according to the British researchers who conducted the largest and most up-to-date review of the subject.
A new generation of appetite-suppressing, injectable drugs called GLP-1 agonists have become immensely popular in the last few years, transforming the treatment for obesity and diabetes in many countries.
They have been found to help people lose between 15% to 20% of their body weight.
“This all appears to be a good news story,” said Susan Jebb, a public health nutrition scientist at Oxford university and co-author of a new BMJ study.
However, recent data has suggested that “around half of people discontinue these medications within a year,” she told a press conference.
This might be because of common side effects such as nausea or the price — these drugs can cost over $1,000 a month in the US.
So the researchers reviewed 37 studies looking at ceasing different weight-loss drugs, finding that participants regained around 0.4 kilogrammes a month.
Six of the clinical trials involved semaglutide — the ingredient used in Novo Nordisk’s brands Ozempic and Wegovy — and tirzepatide used for Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound.
While taking these two drugs, the trial participants lost an average of nearly 15 kilogrammes.
However after stopping the medication, they regained 10 kilogrammes within a year, which was the longest follow-up period available for these relatively new drugs.
The researchers projected that the participants would return to their original weight in 18 months.
Measurements of heart health, including blood pressure and cholesterol levels, also returned to their original levels after 1.4 years.
People who were instead put on programmes that included diet and exercise — but not drugs — lost significantly less weight. However it took an average of four years for them to regain their lost kilos.
This meant that people taking the drugs regained their weight four times faster.
‘Starting point, not a cure’
“Greater weight loss tends to result in faster weight regain,” lead study author Sam West of Oxford University explained.
But separate analysis showed that weight gain was “consistently faster after medication, regardless of the amount of weight lost in the first place,” he added.
This could be because people who have learned to eat more healthily and exercise more often continue to do so even as they regain weight.
Jebb emphasised that GLP-1 drugs “are a really valuable tool in obesity treatment — but obesity is a chronic relapsing condition.”
“One would expect that these treatments need to be continued for life, just in the same way as blood pressure medication,” Jebb said.
If this was the case, it would impact how national health systems judge whether these drugs are cost-effective, the researchers emphasised.
“This new data makes it clear they are a starting point, not a cure,” said Garron Dodd, a metabolic neuroscience researcher at the University of Melbourne not involved in the study.
“Sustainable treatment will likely require combination approaches, longer-term strategies, and therapies that reshape how the brain interprets energy balance, not just how much people eat,” he said.
Kate Middleton appears to be the British queen as she’s being celebrated across London on her big day.
The Princess turned 44 on Friday, January 9, receiving greetings and best wishes from her fans and royal relatives, but the most iconic celebration took place at her and William’s wedding venue.
The London’s most iconic venue, where the Waleses got married on April 29, 2011, sent a hearwarming message to Princess Catherine.
Westminster Abbey surprised Britons as it rang its bells to celebrate the special occasion of the much-loved royal.
The Abbey’s social media account said: “The Abbey bells are ringing out to celebrate the birthday of HRH The Princess of Wales.”
The message continued: “Our bell ringers are ringing 344 changes of Erin Caters followed by 544 changes of Spliced Surprise Royal.”
Her and William’s ans lost patience and dropped hearts with comments, with one saying: “Beautiful! Happy Birthday, Princess Catherine! Stay healthy.”
“Sooo beautiful…bell ringing gets right at the core our hearts and directs our thinking toward God…so perfect a way to celebrate HRH Catherine,” another dropped the comment.
In addition, a fan wrote: “Those bells sound magnificent!
“Nothing more lovely to hear than church bells ringing out. Happy birthday to the wonderful Princess of Wales!”
Kensington Palace led celebrations on Friday morning by releasing the final instalment of the Mother Nature video series – Winter.
Princess Kate is being celebrated for her “quiet strength” as she marks her 44th birthday.
In a touching tribute shared on Friday, January 9, the Welsh Guards praised the Princess of Wales for her enduring support of the Armed Forces community, highlighting the impact she continues to have as Colonel-in-Chief.
The regiment honoured Kate’s “warmth, dedication and quiet strength,” noting that these qualities “continue to inspire countless people across the country.”
In their message, they underscored her long-standing commitment to those who serve, writing: “Through her support of service families, veterans, and causes close to our hearts, she consistently demonstrates compassion, resilience and a deep understanding of duty.”
The tribute closed with birthday wishes and gratitude “for her continued support of the nation and those who serve it,” signed off with the Welsh motto “Cymru Am Byth.”
The message comes amid a busy period for the Welsh Guards, who remain closely linked to Prince William. The Prince of Wales, who serves as colonel of the regiment, attended their Christmas celebrations at Windsor Barracks last month. During the visit, he personally helped serve dinner to members of the First Battalion and spent time socialising with troops in the Sergeants’ Mess, catching up on their work since his previous visit.
In recent years, the regiment has played a prominent role in major royal milestones, including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the Coronation of King Charles III, and Trooping the Colour in 2023. Their tribute to Kate reflects a bond rooted in service, respect, and shared duty.
Meghan Trainor’s husband, Daryl Sabara, seems to have a surprising response to the Ashley Tisdale mom group fiasco, as he shared a neutral opinion.
The 33-year-old actor cleared the air by saying, “No drama over here, just trying to keep the kids happy,” soon after Trainor herself appeared to mock Tisdale in a TikTok video.
The Spy Kids star even expressed concern for the High School Musical star, after her essay in The Cut went viral, which detailed her experience of alienation in a group of fellow moms.
“I don’t really know what’s going on. I hope she’s okay though,” Sabara told TMZ on Thursday, January 8.
This comes after the singer shared a video clip on TikTok with the text, “Me finding out about the apparent mom group drama,” which showed her sitting at a desk while her song, Still Don’t Care played in the background.
Trainor concluded her shady response with three tea emojis in the caption.
The Made You Look hitmaker is not the only alleged mom involved in the mom group drama, but Mandy Moore and Hilary Duff are also among Tisdale’s former friends, whom she recently unfollowed.
Bessent says Argentina peso bet was ‘homerun deal’
Pandora eyes 6% organic growth in 2025 as weak US market mutes prior guidance
Iconic venue erupts in celebration
-
Politics4 days agoChina’s birth-rate push sputters as couples stay child-free
-
Sports4 days agoVAR review: Why was Wirtz onside in Premier League, offside in Europe?
-
Sports5 days agoSteelers escape Ravens’ late push, win AFC North title
-
Business4 days agoAldi’s Christmas sales rise to £1.65bn
-
Entertainment2 days agoDoes new US food pyramid put too much steak on your plate?
-
Entertainment4 days agoMinnesota Governor Tim Walz to drop out of 2026 race, official confirmation expected soon
-
Sports5 days agoFACI invites applications for 2026 chess development project | The Express Tribune
-
Business4 days ago8th Pay Commission: From Policy Review, Cabinet Approval To Implementation –Key Stages Explained