Gaby
If someone with excess weight manages to lose some fat, they’ll likely find it hard to keep it off.
Why does this happen? A new study by Swiss researchers has revealed that fat tissue retains a kind of memory of being recently overweight.
“This is part of the puzzle that could help explain what happens in fat tissue during weight changes,” said Dr. Ferdinand von Meien, an assistant professor at the Department of Medical Sciences and Technologies at ETH Zurich, in an interview with BBC Science Focus.
Von Meien and his team discovered transcriptional changes (that is, changes in how our cells copy and regulate genetic material) in the cells of study participants. The researchers compared the cellular sequences in the fat tissue of individuals who were obese and those who were not, before and after a 25 percent reduction in body mass index (BMI).
“The genes we examined were so deregulated during obesity that they did not return to their normal state even at the transcription level. The body truly struggles with weight loss and wants to revert to its previous weight. Fat tissue is programmed to desire that weight back,” explained von Meien.
This is probably not the news people hoping to lose weight want to hear. However, von Meien expressed hope that this research will help destigmatize weight fluctuations.
Von Meien said people who can’t maintain their weight aren’t weak. In fact, he said, a hidden molecular mechanism can drive weight regain.
Von Meien believes that preventive measures, especially promoting healthy lifestyles across society, are the best way to combat obesity. “Early intervention is truly key, as once you gain weight, it becomes significantly harder to lose it,” he added.
