One in Ten Users of Weight-Loss Jabs Are 'Non-Responders,' Trials Show
Approximately one in ten individuals using the popular weight-loss injections Wegovy and Ozempic are classified as 'non-responders,' failing to lose a significant amount of weight, according to recent clinical trials. This revelation comes as demand for these so-called 'fat jabs' has skyrocketed in the UK, with an estimated one in 50 adults now using them.
Soaring Demand and NHS Approval
The surge in popularity began in 2023 when the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) approved Wegovy for weight loss on the NHS. This approval was based on studies showing weight reductions of 15 to 20 percent, leading many to hail the drugs as a 'game-changer' for those struggling with traditional dieting methods. However, the high demand has resulted in pharmacy shortages and a rise in illicit online prescribers.
Personal Stories of Disappointment
For some users, the injections have not lived up to expectations. Samantha Jess, 52, was prescribed Ozempic in 2020 to treat diabetes, with hopes it would suppress her appetite and help her lose up to 10 percent of her 16-stone body weight. "I thought Ozempic was going to do something magical," she told the Sunday Times. Yet, after eight months of weekly injections, she had not lost any weight and even gained some, still experiencing strong food cravings.
Jess believes she is a 'non-responder,' a term used by scientists for individuals whose bodies do not react to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic. These drugs mimic glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar, but they do not work for everyone.
Scientific Insights into Non-Response
Professor Lora Heisler, an obesity researcher at Aberdeen University, explains that obesity is a complex condition with multiple biological mechanisms. "GLP-1 based drugs target only one of those mechanisms, so they can work extremely well for many people, but not for everyone," she said. Dr. Marie Spreckley, a weight management specialist at Cambridge University, adds that there is 'a spectrum of response,' with clinical trials showing one in ten users losing less than 5 percent of their body weight.
Some researchers attribute this variability to 'metabolic defence,' where the body protects energy stores and reduces expenditure when calorie intake drops, limiting weight loss. Genetics also play a role, as Professor Heisler notes: "We're all built differently and some people have stronger, metabolic, protective mechanisms than others."
Another Case of Limited Success
Niamh Shackleton, 29, began using Wegovy in July last year after trying various diets and exercise plans. Starting with low-dose injections and increasing to 2.4mg weekly, she hoped for rapid weight loss. "I thought the weight was going to fall off really quickly," she said. However, over five months, she lost only about one stone, half of what she expected. While the medication helped curb her sweet tooth, she admits to inconsistent diet and exercise due to a knee injury, highlighting that these drugs are not a standalone solution.
Challenges and Realistic Expectations
Inconsistency in taking the medication can reduce its efficacy, and side effects like nausea may lead users to skip doses. Dr. Spreckley warns against viewing these jabs as a 'miracle cure,' noting they have been 'de-medicalised' in public perception. "GLP-1 receptors are just an aid to dieting; they make sticking to a diet easier but the usual rules of eating protein and engaging in resistance training still apply. It's not magic," she emphasized.
As the use of weight-loss jabs continues to grow, these findings underscore the importance of managing expectations and understanding that they are not universally effective, requiring a holistic approach to health and weight management.
