New data presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Málaga this week has highlighted the transformative potential of weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro, with participants losing an average of 20% of their body weight after 72 weeks in a head-to-head trial. The findings mark a significant shift in obesity treatment, which has long been neglected in medicine.
Professor Susan Jebb, a public health nutrition scientist at the University of Oxford, described the developments as 'extraordinary', noting that these drugs have energised the field rapidly. Mounjaro, made by Eli Lilly, contains tirzepatide, which mimics two hormones, GLP-1 and another, leading to more impressive weight loss than rival drugs like Ozempic.
Beyond weight management, studies suggest these drugs may reduce the risk of 42 diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's. Research presented at the congress also indicated potential benefits for fatty liver disease and mental health, with effects possibly independent of weight loss.
Professor Philip Newsome of King's College London presented findings showing that semaglutide could halt or reverse fatty liver disease, affecting one in five UK adults, even in those with minimal weight loss. Dr Toby Pillinger, a psychiatrist at King's, noted that the drugs may act on the brain's reward system, offering promise for conditions like addiction and binge-eating disorders.
However, concerns remain about weight regain after stopping the drugs, as data on long-term effects is limited. The NHS is currently assessing the cost-effectiveness of these treatments for wider use.
