Researchers have discovered that cells remember being obese and actively fight against weight loss efforts. A study published in Nature found that formerly obese mice gained weight more quickly than normal mice when put on a high-fat diet. According to Dr. Laura Hinte, the study suggests that humans have an “obesogenic memory” that defends body weight change.
From an evolutionary perspective, this makes sense as humans and other animals adapted to defend their body weight rather than lose it. Professor Ferdinand von Meyenn notes that fat cells remember their prior obese state and may respond unhealthy ways to sugars or fatty acids. This leads to a “problematic ‘yo-yo’ effect” seen with dieting, where people need to actively fight against their cellular memory.
However, the researchers suggest that maintaining a reduced or healthy body weight for long enough may erase the memory. Targeting these changes could improve long-term weight management and health outcomes, as obesity and its related comorbidities represent substantial health risks.
Source: https://people.com/obesity-cannot-keep-weight-off-8762651