If you’re one of the 40% of American adults living with obesity, you may be familiar with the frustrating cycle of losing weight, only to regain it shortly after. This pattern, known as the yo-yo effect, can make weight management feel like a never-ending roller-coaster ride. A recent study suggests that this phenomenon may be due to a form of “metabolic memory,” where the body remembers and strives to return to its previous state of obesity.
Dr. Ferdinand von Meyenn, an assistant professor for nutrition and metabolic epigenetics at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, explained that obesity is a chronic condition with significant metabolic consequences, often leading to various metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The body’s tendency to defend increased body weight makes weight loss and maintenance particularly challenging.
Published in the journal Nature, the study delves into the role of epigenetics in weight regain after significant weight loss. Epigenetics involves chemical markers that influence gene activity without altering the DNA sequence. These markers can be influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet and can create a cellular “memory” of past states, such as obesity.
The research focused on fat cells, which live for an average of 10 years before the body replaces them. Despite their longevity, fat cells still undergo epigenetic adaptations in response to external stimuli. The study found that even after losing weight, fat cells retain a memory of obesity encoded in the epigenome, driving the body to return to its previous obese state.
While the study was conducted on mice and only looked at fatty tissue, the researchers believe that similar mechanisms likely apply to humans. However, it’s important to note that the study only shows an association and does not prove that epigenetic changes directly cause weight regain.
See also Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s tough Bronx persona is under fresh scrutiny with a resurfaced childhood nickname from her suburban upstate New York upbringing casting doubt on that publicly portrayed image. The progressive champion’s latest spat with President Donald Trump over the Iran strikes again called into question her true upbringing when she declared on X she was a “Bronx girl" to make her a point against the president. The 35-year-old congresswoman wrote in part on X: "I’m a Bronx girl. You should know that we can eat Queens boys for breakfast. Respectfully," she said, referring to the president’s upbringing in Queens as she called for his impeachment over his decision to bypass Congress in authorizing U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Ocasio-Cortez was born in the Bronx but moved to Yorktown – which is nearly an hour outside New York City -- when she was 5 years old and went on to attend Yorktown High School where she graduated in 2007. She was considered an accomplished student there and well thought of by teacher Michael Blueglass, according to a 2018 report by local media outlet Halston Media News. “There, known by students and staff as ‘Sandy,’ she was a member of the Science Research Program taught by Michael Blueglass," the report states. “She was amazing," Blueglass said, per the report. “Aside from her winning one of the top spots and going to the [Intel International Science and Engineering Fair], she was just one of the most amazing presenters in all of the years I've been at Yorktown. Her ability to take complex information and explain it to all different levels of people was fantastic." After high school, Ocasio-Cortez attended Boston University, where she majored in economics and international relations, per the report. Ocasio-Cortez’s “Sandy" nickname — which carries a more suburban and preppy tone — appears to undercut her politically crafted image as a tough, inner-city fighter, one she has portrayed since her famous 2018 congressional campaign where she eventually ousted former 10-terms Congressman Joe Crowley. New York GOP Assemblyman Matt Slater, who now represents Yorktown, added to the scrutiny of Ocasio-Cortez’s persona in the wake of her brash with Trump and released images of Ocasio-Cortez from his high school yearbook. He claimed he and the rising Democratic star attended Yorktown High School at the same time when she was a freshman and he was a senior. "I saw the attacks on the president and her [Ocasio-Cortez] claims that she's a big, tough Bronx girl," said Slater. "To sit there and say that she’s a Bronx girl is just patently ridiculous." "Everybody in our community knows this is just a bold-face lie," said Slater on "Fox & Friends First" last week. "She grew up in Yorktown, she was on my track team." "She's lying about her background, she's lying about her upbringing," Slater claimed. Slater’s post sent social media ablaze and prompted Ocasio-Cortez to respond after an image if her family’s home was posted online. “I’m proud of how I grew up and talk about it all the time," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X Friday responding to the post. “My mom cleaned houses and I helped. We cleaned tutors’ homes in exchange for SAT prep." “Growing up between the Bronx and Yorktown deeply shaped my views of inequality & it’s a big reason I believe the things I do today!"
Moving forward, researchers aim to explore how this “metabolic memory” can be erased and whether other cells or tissues are affected by it. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to more effective treatments and prevention strategies for obesity.
In the meantime, experts recommend focusing on sustainable lifestyle changes rather than short-term diets. By choosing nutrient-dense whole foods, eating three balanced meals a day, and incorporating intermittent fasting, individuals can rebalance hormones, reduce inflammation, and support long-term weight management.
Ultimately, breaking free from the cycle of weight regain requires a shift towards a healthier “way of living” rather than relying on temporary dieting strategies. By understanding the underlying biological factors contributing to weight fluctuations, individuals can take proactive steps towards achieving lasting weight loss and overall wellness.
