A new study reveals that fat tissue retains a kind of “memory” of obesity even after weight loss, which increases the chances of weight gain again.
The research, published in Nature Journal, sheds light on the “yo-yo effect” (sudden weight gain after dieting) and the methods people use to lose weight, only to gain it back.
According to researchers from ETH Zurich in Switzerland, the study’s findings could help develop strategies for better weight management in the future.
In treating obesity, the primary goal is to change one’s lifestyle to reduce weight and avoid secondary complications like diabetes or liver disease.
Typically, people tackle obesity by altering their diet and incorporating exercise into their daily routines. While some individuals lose weight temporarily, it often returns later.
Researchers suspect that this might be due to the “memory” of obesity within the body’s tissues, though the exact mechanism is still unclear.
The new study found that fat tissue in both humans and mice shows genetic activity changes that remain even after significant weight loss.
