Study shows fat cells retain a ‘memory’ of past obesity, complicating long-term weight loss

New research is showing the effects of “yo-yo weight,” where previous obesity alters fat cells in response to food intake, with these changes potentially lasting for years.

Researchers at ETH Zurich revealed that fat cells retain a “memory” of past obesity in individuals who regain lost weight. This phenomenon, commonly known as the “yo-yo” effect, causes individuals to return to their starting weight after a weight-loss journey.

The study found that obesity impacts fat tissue in terms of how the body responds to food intake, leading to lasting effects that can persist for years.

 

Study shows fat cells retain a 'memory' of past obesity, complicating long-term weight loss

Professor Ferdinand von Meyenn, a senior author of the study at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, said: “Our study suggests that one reason maintaining body weight after initial weight loss is difficult is that fat cells ‘remember’ their previous obese state and likely try to return to it.”

This cellular memory is linked to genetic changes in the body that occur during weight loss. These changes cause fat cells to absorb nutrients more quickly, making it easier for individuals to regain the weight they have just lost.

Further studies indicate that maintaining a healthy body and the “right” weight over time may help overcome these past “memories,” allowing individuals to achieve long-term success in maintaining their desired weight.

 

 

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