Global Obesity Population Surpasses 1 Billion: Should You Get the Weight-Loss Injection?

This article is for health education purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. All weight-loss medications are prescription drugs and must be used under a physician's guidance.

The global obese population has surpassed 1 billion—equivalent to 1 in every 8 people⁵. In China, the combined rate of adult overweight and obesity has exceeded 50%¹. "Weight-loss injections" are increasingly popular, appearing everywhere on social media, e-commerce platforms, and in social circles. But are they right for you? Will you regain weight after stopping? Let's clarify everything today.

I. Obesity Is a Chronic Disease, Not a "Lack of Willpower"

Many people believe that being overweight simply means "can't control your mouth, won't move your legs." However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has long defined obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease. The National Health Commission's Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Obesity (2024 Edition) also clearly states: obesity is not simply "eating too much," but rather the result of energy metabolism imbalance, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors working together¹.

Why does "watching what you eat and exercising more" often fail? Because after weight loss, the body activates a "set-point defense"—ghrelin (hunger hormone) levels rise, basal metabolic rate drops, and the body desperately tries to return to its original weight. This isn't a lack of willpower; it's your physiology working against you.

II. How Much Weight Can Weight-Loss Injections Actually Help You Lose?

Weight-loss medications, represented by GLP-1 receptor agonists, have pushed weight-loss expectations from "losing 5% counts as success" to new heights:

Semaglutide 2.4 mg: STEP-1 study, average weight loss of 14.9% over 68 weeks²
Tirzepatide 15 mg: SURMOUNT-1 study, average weight loss of up to 22.5% over 72 weeks³

Note: The above are published Phase III clinical trial data. Each study has different designs (enrollment criteria, co-interventions, endpoint definitions), so they cannot be directly compared "head-to-head." For specific efficacy, please refer to each product's approved prescribing information in China.

III. Not Everyone Qualifies: Indications Are Strictly Defined

Weight-loss injections are prescription drugs with strict indications. According to the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Obesity (2024 Edition), medication should only be considered after physician evaluation when ALL of the following conditions are met:

Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 28 (obese), OR BMI ≥ 24 (overweight) with at least one weight-related comorbidity (hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, fatty liver, sleep apnea, etc.);
Lifestyle intervention has yielded unsatisfactory results.

Currently, weight-loss medications approved in China include semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, beinaglutide, orlistat, etc. All are prescription drugs—they cannot be purchased online or used without medical supervision¹.

IV. Two Facts You Must Face: Rebound After Discontinuation + Muscle Loss

You will regain weight after stopping. The SURMOUNT-4 study showed that participants regained approximately 14% of their weight one year after discontinuing the medication (partial rebound)⁴. Weight-loss injections are a "management tool," not a "one-and-done solution"—just as blood pressure medication cannot be stopped casually, weight management requires long-term care.

Weight loss will involve some muscle loss. This is a common feature of ALL weight-loss methods (accounting for approximately 20–30% of total weight lost), not unique to weight-loss injections. Resistance training combined with adequate protein intake can significantly preserve muscle mass.

V. The Government Has Already Started "Managing Weight"

In 2024, the National Health Commission launched the "Weight Management Year" 3-year initiative and issued the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Obesity (2024 Edition), elevating weight management to the level of chronic disease prevention and control. Behind this is a stark reality: China's adult overweight/obesity rate has exceeded 50%, with approximately 400 million overweight/obese individuals—ranking first globally⁵.

Myth-Busting: What Many People Get Wrong

❌ "Weight-loss injections are a shortcut to losing weight while lying down" → ✅ They are prescription drugs requiring long-term management; weight regain may occur after discontinuation.
❌ "One injection and you're done forever" → ✅ Lifestyle intervention is always the foundation; medication is an adjunct.
❌ "The more weight lost, the better; the faster, the better" → ✅ The goal is "healthy weight loss," balancing muscle preservation and safety.
❌ "Buy one online and inject it yourself" → ✅ Prescription drugs must be used under medical supervision; self-medication carries high risks.

Action Recommendations (Medical Consultation / Lifestyle—No Prescriptions Given)

Calculate your BMI first: Weight (kg) ÷ Height (m)². BMI ≥ 24 indicates overweight, BMI ≥ 28 indicates obesity—only then does medical weight loss enter the discussion.
Lifestyle is the first prescription: Start with diet, exercise, and sleep. Don't expect "one injection to solve everything."
If you meet medication criteria and lifestyle changes fail: Visit the endocrinology department or a weight-management clinic at a正规 hospital for evaluation, and use medication as prescribed.
During medication, attend regular follow-ups. Do not increase dosage or stop medication on your own.

Have you encountered this? Do you know anyone using weight-loss injections? How were the results? Share your experiences and questions in the comments section.

References:

National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Obesity (2024 Edition). 2024.
Wilding JPH, et al. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. PMID: 33567185.
Jastreboff AM, et al. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205-216. PMID: 35658024.
Aronne LJ, et al. JAMA. 2024;331(1):38-48. PMID: 38078870.
NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Lancet. 2024;403(10431):1027-1050. PMID: 38432237.
World Obesity Federation. World Obesity Atlas 2022. 2022.

This article is health education content and is not intended as promotional material for the general public. All weight-loss medications are prescription drugs; please do not purchase or use them on your own. For specific diagnosis and treatment, please visit a正规 medical institution and follow your doctor's advice.