A study about weight-loss medications that was published in the British Medical Journal found that less than two years after stopping medications like Ozempic, the weight came back. All health benefits the drugs provide lower blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease disappeared even faster, returning to pre-treatment levels in just 1.4 years.
While the researchers were surprised how quickly the weight returned, some experts say the drugs are acting just as they would expect a chronic disease needs chronic treatment.
Even though one in three adult South Africans live with obesity, which is associated with dozens of noncommunicable diseases NCDs, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and some types of cancer, its still not classified as one in South Africa.
For Bhekisisas TV show, Health Beat, we talked to Nomathemba Chandiwana, chief scientific officer of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, on why we should.
In todays newsletter, Tanya Pampalone tells us why chronic disease needs chronic treatment. Sign up for our newsletter today.
A study about weight loss medications that was published in the British Medical Journal in January didnt seem like good news.
Oxford researchers looked at 37 studies, which involved more than 9 300 people. They found that less than two years after stopping medications like Ozempic, the weight came back. All health benefits the drugs provide lower blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease disappeared even faster, returning to pre-treatment levels in just 1.4 years.
