A new study presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Malaga, Spain, reveals that a weekly injection of tirzepatide can lead to significant and lasting weight loss over three years for adults dealing with obesity. The research, led by Dr. Luca Busetto from the University of Padova in Italy, followed 700 adults without diabetes who received weekly doses of tirzepatide for three years. On average, participants lost between 10% and 30% of their initial weight, with many maintaining this weight loss throughout the study.
Dr. Busetto commented on the findings, stating that meaningful weight loss can be sustained for up to three years with tirzepatide, regardless of age, BMI, or duration of obesity. The study also identified different patterns of weight loss among participants, with some experiencing gradual weight loss, while others saw more rapid reductions before stabilizing.
Tirzepatide works by mimicking important hormones in the body that regulate insulin release, slow down digestion, and reduce hunger. Developed by Eli Lilly and Company, the medication was approved by the U.S. FDA as Zepbound in November 2023 and as Mounjaro by European regulators in June 2024. It is targeted towards adults with obesity or overweight who have related health issues like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Overall, the study highlights the potential of tirzepatide as a promising treatment option for sustainable weight loss in adults struggling with obesity, offering new hope for improved management of this condition.
The effectiveness of tirzepatide led to nearly everyone reaching a point where they stopped losing additional weight—a common occurrence known as a weight plateau. Dr. Busetto explained that this plateau happens to everyone at some stage, regardless of the weight loss method used, as hormones like GLP-1 and GIP play a role in controlling hunger and weight. Eventually, other hormones kick in to prevent further weight loss.
Among the study groups, the timing of reaching this plateau varied significantly. Groups losing weight rapidly took longer to plateau, typically between 36 and 48 weeks into treatment, compared to about 24 weeks for those losing weight more gradually.
Another significant finding presented at the ECO was minimal weight regain with tirzepatide treatment over three years. Among the nearly 700 adults studied, most only regained about 4% of their lowest achieved weight. Encouragingly, 70% of participants regained 5% or less from their lowest weight, while less than 10% regained more than 10%.
Moreover, the study highlighted the health benefits beyond weight loss, emphasizing that even modest weight loss can greatly improve overall health. For example, losing just 5% of body weight significantly reduces the risk of developing diabetes, while a 15% loss leads to substantial improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The study also affirmed tirzepatide’s safety profile, noting no new health concerns over the three-year period. The most common side effects reported were mild gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, similar to previous trials.
These long-term results could pave the way for more personalized weight management strategies, allowing for the optimization of outcomes by identifying early on who might benefit most from treatments like tirzepatide. This could lead to more individualized treatment plans tailored to different demographics and medical histories.
Continued research is necessary to determine if tirzepatide offers similar long-term benefits for other groups beyond adults without diabetes, such as investigating differences in weight regain between genders or across age groups. This groundbreaking research solidifies tirzepatide as an effective, long-lasting option for managing obesity and overweight, with the potential for more targeted recommendations in the future.
The potential for weight loss is now achievable for many adults, reshaping views on addressing obesity. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Professor Aronne has received grants or compensation from Eli Lilly and other companies specializing in obesity and diabetes medications. All remaining authors are affiliated with and have ownership in Eli Lilly. Note: This article was shared by The Brighter Side of News. Interested in uplifting stories? Subscribe to The Brighter Side of News newsletter.
