It is an age-old problem for dieters – losing a few pounds and then swiftly putting them back on again.
But now experts have discovered that our fat tissue retains a ‘memory’ of obesity that persists even after we slim down , which could increase the chance of regaining the excess weight.
The findings may help to explain the so-called ‘yo-yo’ effect often seen with dieting, the researchers said.
Scientists analysed cells taken from body fat tissue in 18 individuals who were a healthy body weight, as well as in 20 obese individuals before and after they lost weight following bariatric surgery.
They found the fat tissue displayed changes to RNA sequences – molecules that carry instructions to make proteins – even after substantial weight loss.
Analysis was carried out in lean, obese and formerly obese mice and revealed similar changes which appeared to be linked with impairments to some metabolic processes – chemical reactions that convert food and drink into energy.
These may contribute to rebound weight gain after dieting, the authors said.
The team from ETH Zurich, a university in Switzerland, concluded that targeting these changes in future could improve long-term weight management.
Experts have discovered that our fat tissue retains a ‘memory’ of obesity that persists even after we slim down , which could increase the chance of regaining the excess weight (file image)
Scientists analysed cells taken from body fat tissue in 18 individuals who were a healthy body weight, as well as in 20 obese individuals before and after they lost weight following bariatric surgery (file image)
Writing in the journal Nature they said: ‘Reducing body weight to improve metabolic health and related comorbidities is a primary goal in treating obesity.
‘However, maintaining weight loss is a considerable challenge, especially as the body seems to retain a… memory that defends against body weight changes.
‘These changes… contribute to the problematic ‘yo-yo’ effect often seen with dieting.’
Although their study focused on obesity it is possible that a similar kind of cell ‘memory’ could also play a role in other contexts such as alcohol or nicotine addiction, they added.
A previous study found that yo-yo weight loss can still provide an overall health boost.
Scientists at the University of Oxford discovered people who struggle to maintain their target weight long-term are still healthier than before they lost any weight, even if they gain back some pounds.
The study of more than 50,000 obese people revealed those who regained some weight following a diet regimen still had lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol than before they lost any weight.
And the findings offer reassurance that any form of weight loss is beneficial – even if there is some regression.
