A Mechanism Behind the Yo-Yo Effect

 

The yo-yo effect in dieting is something that has been observed for a long time- someone tries to lose weight but gains it all back right after the diet. Recently, scientists have discovered a mechanism behind the yo-yo effect that could help explain why it occurs. By analyzing fat cells from overweight mice and of mice that lost weight through dieting, it was revealed that obesity leads to characteristic epigenetic changes in the nuclei of the fat cells. These changes were found to have remained even after the loss of weight, where the cells remember the overweight state and find it easier to return to it. The mice with those epigenetic markers were able to gain the weight back faster when they resumed a high fat diet. A similar study was carried out on humans and the results were found to be consistent with the mice study.

In my opinion, this is a study that has produced useful information. By discovering a mechanism for why the yo-yo effect occurs on the molecular level, we can better understand how and why it occurs in humans. We could perform more research on this topic in order to potentially develop strategies to prevent it from happening to people who are trying to lose weight and keep it off. This study could have many benefits for many of these people.

Is your physique not quite summer ready? You can blame your genes.

In January 2019, while most Americans are fulfilling their new year resolutions, U.S. News & World Report published an article which was originally composed by HealthDay News that may relieve some pressure to have that perfect beach body this summer. Robert Preidt wrote this article based on a study performed by Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science at the University of Cambridge. Sadaf Farooqi lead the study which debunked the myth that all people who are overweight are lazy and do not care about their health. There have been similar studies done in the past which focused on obese people and how their genes may be effecting their weight. This new study differs by focusing on a broader scope of individuals and comparing their genetic make up. The group of people being analyzed included those who are underweight, healthy weight and obese. Genetic variants were discovered present in each weight category. This data was calculated to determine what impact ones genes has on the outcome of their physique. It was concluded that the individuals with specific genetic variants had a higher chance of being obese. Accordingly, thinner people showed an absence of those same genes.

We are often quick to judge others for anything and everything but most commonly their weight. People who are "too skinny" must have an eating disorder or self image issues. Those who are "overweight" must have no self control and never exercise. These thoughts are not only offensive but simply incorrect. I believe the media should focus on increasing awareness of these types of studies. This does not mean that your physique is out of your control. It just means that we all need to be a little more gracious towards one another and realize we are not all cut from the same mold.

Parents May Pass Down More Than Just Genes...

An obese man before undergoing bariatric surgery donated sperm to a Danish scientist. A week after the procedure he donated again and then a year later his third sample. Scientist began to study that perhaps the man’s experiences can alter his sperm; in turn altering changes in his children. They conducted an experiment at the University of Copenhagen with rats to test their hypothesis. They fed male rats a high-fat diet and mated them with females. Their offspring tended to gain more weight and developed more fat, having trouble with insulin levels. Rats also exposed to stressors such as the odor of a fox affected the offspring genes. The male rats gave offspring to pups with dampened responses to stress. After much testing with rat the scientists then decided to recruited six obese men getting bariatric surgery. Their aim was to see if their genes change with losing weight. A year later more than 3,900 genes were identified to be different. Thus proving that our genes change with different variables.
Its great to know and understand these studies. It teaches us that perhaps its not totally someone’s fault for being obese. I learned that regardless of the situations we choose, we have to take into consideration that our genes are being passed to future generations.