Fat cells have a ‘memory’ of obesity — hinting at why it’s hard to keep weight off

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03614-9

by Traci Watson

Even after significant weight loss, your fat cells remember obesity. A groundbreaking study published in Nature explains how changes to the epigenome—chemical tags that adjust gene activity—leave lasting marks on fat cells, even after someone loses weight. These changes impair fat cells’ normal functions and make it easier to regain weight, highlighting why staying slim often requires long-term care. This is not about willpower—science shows obesity reshapes your body at the molecular level.

Researchers studied fat tissue from people and mice, comparing those with obesity histories to those without. The findings reveal that obesity triggers inflammation and scarring in fat cells while reducing their normal functions. Even after weight-loss surgery, these genetic changes persisted for years. The good news? Understanding this “fat memory” may help remove stigma and inspire better treatments to support sustained weight loss.