In Spain, obesity and overweight now affect more than half of the adult population, according to data from the World Health Organization and medical societies. This reality has driven up the demand for pharmacological treatments, but experts remind us that obesity is a chronic and multifactorial disease that cannot be cured with a simple injection; rather, it requires a comprehensive and long-term approach.
The rise of GLP-1 drugs in Spain
GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, mimic gut hormones that regulate satiety and blood sugar. Their effectiveness is proven: weight loss of between 14% and 20% in 72 weeks , according to clinical studies. In Spain, these medications are prescribed under medical supervision for obese or overweight patients with comorbidities, although they are not covered by the public healthcare system, which limits access.
Obesity: a chronic disease that requires comprehensive treatment
The medical community insists that obesity should be treated as a chronic disease similar to hypertension or diabetes . This means that drug treatment is not a temporary fix, but rather a tool that must be integrated into a comprehensive approach that includes a balanced diet, physical exercise, and psychological support. A recent European consensus, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology , emphasizes that these medications cannot be considered an isolated solution.
Primary care specialists, such as those at the SEMG Congress held in Oviedo, emphasize that the first step is a thorough patient assessment : their dietary history, their environment, their physical activity, and their motivations. Only then can a decision be made about whether medication is appropriate and how to combine it with real lifestyle changes.
The risk of weight regain when stopping medication
One of the biggest challenges with these treatments is what happens when they are discontinued. Several studies, including one from the University of Cambridge and another from the Hospital ClÃnic Barcelona, ​​agree that patients regain around 60% of the weight they lost in the year following discontinuation . The reason is that the drug suppresses appetite while it is being taken, but upon withdrawal, hunger signals return strongly and metabolism slows down.
Experts warn that without a sustained change in habits, the rebound effect is almost inevitable . Therefore, they recommend that treatment be maintained for as long as necessary, sometimes for life, and that it be combined with strength training to preserve muscle mass and a diet rich in protein and nutrients. Furthermore, psychological support is key to preventing eating disorders and managing the new body image.
In short, weight-loss drugs represent a significant advance, but they are not a panacea. The key lies in a multidisciplinary approach that puts the individual at the center , with continuous medical monitoring and sustainable changes over time. Only in this way will it be possible to control obesity as a chronic disease and improve the health of millions of people in Spain and Europe.
