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Whenever you successfully shed excess weight and arrive at a leaner and healthier version of yourself, the prime concern becomes maintaining that new weight. Science Alert reported that a team of researchers from Peking University in China may have now unearthed fresh evidence explaining how weight can quickly be regained after weight-loss programmes stop.

Instead of focusing on traditional dieting, the scientists looked at anti-obesity medications (AOMs), which have rapidly gained popularity worldwide and continue to see growing use.

The researchers dug into data and findings presented in 11 previous studies involving a total of 2,466 people. These studies examined several types of AOMs, including drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. These belong to a group called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They work by mimicking a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1, which helps reduce hunger and control blood sugar levels.

Overall, the researchers found that these weight-loss drugs do help people lose weight. But they also noticed a common pattern: once people stopped taking the medications, they often regained the weight. The study was published in BMC Medicine.

In an earlier report published in Scientific American, it was stated that though Ozempic and similar GLP-1 weight-loss medications were designed to be lifelong treatments, the majority of people who used these drugs quit after just two years, with less-than-ideal outcomes. A recent JAMA Network Open analysis found that most people stop taking these drugs within two years. Such discontinuation often reverses both weight loss and health gains.

It seems nature has programmed our bodies to fight weight loss or shedding excess bulk. This cannot be simply averted by putting on blinkers in front of the fridge or at the dining table. Food cravings cannot be wished away.

These drugs work by mimicking gut hormones that slow digestion and signal to the brain that the body is full, ultimately curbing the urge to eat. But "the food noise comes back when they stop the medications," says Janice Jin Hwang, associate professor of medicine and chief of the division of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

These findings are echoed in the recent study by the team from Peking University. "Significant weight regain occurred eight weeks after discontinuation of AOMs and was sustained through 20 weeks," explains the research team, led by first author Han Wu. "Different weight regain was observed in subjects with different characteristics."

Of the various types of weight-loss treatments covered, it was those in the GLP-1 category that showed the most weight gain after treatment ended, the researchers said.

Some 20 weeks after stopping the drugs, study participants had regained an average of 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds). The team also found that people who lost more weight tended to regain more afterwards as well.

Researchers accounted for other potential influences on weight loss, including levels of exercise and whether the individuals had diabetes.

"The effects of weight cycling on health and systemic metabolism are not thoroughly defined," write the researchers. One of the studies reviewed in the new analysis, published in 2023, found that when weekly injections of tirzepatide (or Zepbound) were stopped and participants were switched to a placebo, an average of half the lost weight came back.

A similar rebound effect has been observed in some patients who had undergone gastric bypass or vertical banded gastroplasty.

However, it's another factor to consider when weighing up AOMs that produce impressive short-term results: There may be a long-term cost. Questions have already been raised about some of the side effects and health risks associated with AOMs.

For now, the researchers want new studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods. It's possible we could find better ways to support people once they stop taking AOMs, or healthier alternatives to these medications.

"Studies with longer follow-up duration are required to further investigate the potential factors associated with weight change after discontinuation of treatment," say the team from Peking University.

Researchers have also found that GLP-1 receptor agonists do more than help with weight loss, Scientific American reports. These drugs were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes and have been shown to improve key health indicators like blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. The FDA has also approved Wegovy to help manage heart disease and Ozempic to reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease. However, stopping these medications may cause many of these health improvements to fade.

[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]