After dieting in women…fat cells explain the difficulty of maintaining weight

Recent research shows that losing weight does not always mean the end of the obesity journey, as many can face the return of weight gain later, in a phenomenon known as “obesity relapse,” which is not only related to willpower or lifestyle, but rather to deeper biological factors within the body.

According to a recent study by researchers from University of BirminghamFat cells may retain what resembles a “biological memory” for a long time after losing weight, which makes the body more susceptible to regaining fat later. The matter did not stop there, as the results showed that some immune cells may also contribute to this memory associated with obesity.

The study published in the journal indicates EMBO Reports These changes may continue for many years, and may increase the possibility of regaining weight or developing health problems related to obesity, even after successful loss.

Physiologically, researchers explain that adipose tissue is not just a store of fat, but rather a living tissue that interacts with hormones and affects appetite, metabolism, and energy balance in the body. Therefore, when fat cells shrink with diet, they do not disappear completely, but rather remain in the body ready to store fat again when excess calories become available.

The difficulty for women in particular lies in the fact that their fat cells tend to accumulate in certain areas such as the buttocks and thighs, and these cells are able to expand greatly to store energy, which explains the ease of regaining weight after losing it in some cases.

Researchers also point out that there are different types of fat in the body, including “white” fat that is responsible for storage, “brown” fat that helps burn energy, and “beige” fat that can transform into a more active form when exposed to cold or exercising.

Although fat loss occurs mainly through breathing and converting it into energy, carbon dioxide and water, the number of fat cells remains almost constant in adults, which means that maintaining weight requires continuity in a healthy lifestyle and not only a temporary stage.

Accordingly, experts confirm that dealing with obesity is not limited to losing weight only, but rather a deep understanding of how the body works, and adopting a sustainable lifestyle that helps women maintain their results and avoid regaining the weight again.