Startup-Led Weight-Loss Injections Face Faster Rebound Risk

As health-tech startups and pharmaceutical innovators drive rapid adoption of injectable weight-loss drugs, new UK research has raised questions about their durability as long-term obesity treatment solutions. While medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have expanded quickly across private and digital health platforms, evidence suggests that stopping these injections often results in faster weight regain than conventional diet and exercise–based weight loss.

The study, funded by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and led by researchers at the University of Oxford, analysed 37 clinical studies involving more than 9,000 participants. On average, individuals used weight-loss injections for 39 weeks and were tracked for around 32 weeks after discontinuation. The analysis found that participants regained approximately 0.8 kg per month once treatment stopped, with many returning to their starting weight within 18 months.

By comparison, people who lost weight through structured lifestyle interventions regained weight at a slower pace, about 0.3 kg per month less. Researchers noted that while injectable drugs are effective in producing rapid weight loss, they do not inherently support long-term behavioural change, which is critical for sustained outcomes.

Dr Sam West, postdoctoral researcher at Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, said the findings underline the chronic nature of obesity and the limitations of short-term treatment approaches. He added that stopping medication without continued support makes weight regain likely.

The study also highlighted the expansion of privately accessed weight-loss injections in the UK, often prescribed without ongoing nutritional or behavioural guidance. Co-senior author Professor Susan Jebb noted that people who lose weight through diet and exercise tend to acquire skills that help maintain weight loss over time, including food planning and coping strategies.

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Researchers identified limited evidence on how weight-loss drugs affect diet quality and nutrient intake, calling for more consistent and long-term data. They stressed that future obesity treatments should combine medical intervention with sustained lifestyle support to improve long-term effectiveness.