A drug commonly used to treat people with diabetes could help slimmers shed more than 20% of their body weight, according to experts. Researchers claim that the results of a new study carried out in the USA could prove to be a "game-changer" in the treatment of obesity.
They found that an injection of tirzepatide, once a week, could have a significant weight loss and slimming effect for those who need it the most. Obesity is a growing problem throughout western countries, with the UK having one of the highest rates.
World Health Organisation (WHO) figures blames it for causing 1.2 million deaths in Europe every year. It's why researchers suspected that tirzepatide, which mimicks hormones that making you feel full after eating, could be an important tool for helping those struggling with weight problems.
READ MORE: Slimming World vs Weight Watchers - which one is the best for weight loss?
These hormones are often found at low levels in people classed as being obese. Until now, however, diet and exercise have been the focus when it comes to helping people to lose weight, despite the fact that results can vary and many find it hard to keep the weight off over time.
The new study, by a team of international medical researchers, involved a 72-week trial featuring a total of 2,539 overweight people - most of them white and female - with 95% classed as being clinically obese. Participants had an average body weight of 104.8kg but none had diabetes.
The research, which has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved the participants being divided into four groups. Three were given either a 5mg, 10mg or 15mg dose of tirzepatide once a week, while the fourth received a weekly placebo injection.
Participants in the trial were given lifestyle counselling and asked to complete about 150 minutes of physical activity a week, together with eating low-calorie meals. Researchers revealed that almost 82% managed to successfully follow the regime given to them.
And when combined with these interventions, it was found that tirzapatide helped some participants lose more than 20% of their body weight. The 5mg group lost an average of 16.1kg (35.5lbs), while those given a 10mg dose shed an average of 22.2kg (48.9lbs).
The group receiving the hightest 15mg dose managed to lose an average of 23.6kg (52lbs) in weight over the 72 weeks. While those who were given a placebo injection only lost an average of 2.4kg (5.3lbs).
The research team said that about 57% of those given the highest dose shed 20% or more of body weight, as opposed to just 3% in the placebo group. Of the group given the largest dose of tirzepatide, 91% of participants lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared to just 35% in the placebo group.
Lead author of the research was Dr Ania Jastreboff, of Yale University. She said the study suggests that tirzepatide injections could be a useful new tool to help tackle obesity. She said: "We should treat obesity as we treat any chronic disease – with effective and safe approaches which target underlying disease mechanisms."
"These results underscore that tirzepatide may be doing just that," added Dr Jastreboff. It is encouraging news for obese and overweight people in the UK, where a similar drug called semaglutide was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) in February this year.
