Obesity treatment: limits of dieting and the impact of GLP‑1 drugs

Experts note that simply cutting food portions does not guarantee weight loss. Severe calorie restriction can trigger increased hunger, a slowed metabolism, higher ghrelin levels and a tendency to over‑eat, especially when ultra‑processed foods are consumed. A study in the International Journal of Eating Disorders found that strict dieting may raise the risk of subsequent binge eating.

A personal account from Slovakia describes a 45‑year‑old woman who used the GLP‑1 drug Mounjaro (similar to Ozempic) for more than a year. She lost nearly 40 kg, moving from 128 kg to under 90 kg. Initial weeks brought a strong sense of satiety and emotional calm, but the pronounced effect tapered after about two weeks. Nevertheless, she reports improved mobility, confidence and quality of life, illustrating both the promise and limits of modern obesity medication.