Losing weight is a difficult journey, but keeping it off can be even more difficult. Researchers have tried to understand why this happens, and it seems they have found an answer: Fat cells seem to carry a “memory” of obesity, even after significant weight loss.

This means that if you’ve lost a lot of weight, there’s a good chance you’ll gain it back very quickly. Therefore, maintaining weight loss can be difficult.

The researchers found that obesity modifies the epigenome, a set of chemical markers that control the functioning of genes. These changes can impair the ability of fat cells to function normally.

Surprisingly, even after bariatric surgery, this genetic activity remains linked to obesity, making it easier to regain weight.

Dr. Laura Hinte, a biologist at ETH Zurich and co-author of the study, explained in a Nature report: “It’s not your fault. The body’s memory of obesity makes it difficult to maintain weight loss and often requires long-term care. “.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT

The research involved studying the fatty tissue of people with severe obesity and people who had never been obese. The team discovered significant differences in gene activity. Some genes linked to inflammation and scarring became more active in obese people, while others, which help fat cells function normally, became less active.

These trends did not change even after people lost a lot of weight after surgery. The results were reflected in mouse experiments, where epigenetic changes in fat cells persisted even after the mice lost weight.

The formerly obese mice absorbed more sugar and fat and regained weight more quickly than those that had never been obese when fed a high-fat diet. This suggests that the “memory” of obesity produces fat cells more inclined to store energy.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

The study highlights the importance of preventing obesity in the first place. Although people can stay slim after weight loss, it often requires constant effort and support.

Dr. Ferdinand von Meyenn, another co-author, hopes this research will reduce the stigma surrounding obesity. “It’s a complex condition, not just about willpower,” he says.

Understanding how fat cells remember obesity could open the door to better treatments, helping millions of people manage their weight more effectively.