United States: Weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound have been facing an open question – whether people would keep the pounds off when they stop taking them.
A new Danish study has prompted that regular exercise can have a significant role in urging people to quit drugs without even having to gain weight.
Signe Sorensen Torekov, the senior researcher at the University of Copenhagen, said, “It is actually possible to stop taking the medication without large weight regain if you follow a structured exercise regime,” as US News reported.
About the Study
The research has found that doing exercise for a couple of hours per week has maintained the process of weight loss during the intake of drugs.
Torekov added, “Our study offers new hope, as we have shown that the majority of those who take weight-loss medication and exercise regularly are able to maintain the beneficial effects a year after treatment termination,” in a release at the University bulletin, as US News reported.
How did the study take place?
For the purpose of the study, four groups were chosen as study participants.
One group was given a weight-loss drug, the second group was given the task of working out regularly, the third group was asked to work out and given a drug, and the remaining group received a placebo.
The results of the study revealed that an improvement in the quality of life was noticed in the group that was given an exercise task.
As per US News reports, the group taking the weight-loss drugs while exercising experienced shedding weight constantly, even after the stoppage of the medication.
The study findings were published in the journal Lancet eClinical Medicine on February 19.
Opinion of the experts about the findings of the study
Simon Birk Kjær Jensen, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Copenhagen, said, “All it takes is two hours of exercise a week that gets the heart rate up and makes you pant,” as US News reported.
Jensen added, “And it may differ from one person to the next,” and, “For people with severe obesity and low initial fitness level, a brisk walk may be sufficient, whereas people with higher fitness level may have to practice running or cycling.”
As per the expert’s opinion, the findings of the study should be considered during prescribing exercise along with weight-loss drugs so that people can maintain a constant weight-loss regime after stopping the medication.
Torekov said, “The study almost makes me want to advise against medical treatment without increased physical exercise, especially if you do not want to be taking the drugs for the rest of your life.”
Further added, “The good news is that post-treatment weight loss maintenance is possible, but only when combined with exercise,” as US News reported.