Researchers from Concordia University in Canada have revealed that a "defect in fat tissue" may be the primary reason behind the difficulty many people face in losing weight, challenging the traditional view that blames weak willpower.
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According to the study conducted by the Metabolism, Nutrition, and Obesity Laboratory at the university, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) plays a crucial role in regulating energy and metabolic health, which refers to the processes that convert food into energy in the body.
When fat accumulates, a dysfunction occurs in this tissue, leading to excessive fat storage in vital organs such as the liver and muscles, which increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Obesity and diabetes researcher, Mohammad Elias Nadim, stated: "We've all heard the advice to eat less and move more, but the reality is more complex." He continued: "For individuals with obesity, complex biological mechanisms work against their efforts to lose weight, going beyond the issue of willpower."
In 2022, there were 2.5 billion adults globally who were overweight, with 890 million people living with obesity, according to the World Health Organization.
These figures represent 43% of adults aged 18 and over (43% of men and 44% of women) who are overweight, a significant increase from the rates in 1990 when 25% of adults aged 18 and over were overweight.
The study reveals that the location of fat storage in the body affects its functions. Fat stored in the lower body (around the hips and thighs) operates differently from fat stored in the upper body (around the abdomen).
Researchers also found that the behavior of adipose tissue differs depending on gender and the timing of obesity, whether it occurred in childhood or adulthood.
Professor Silvia Santos, head of the Canadian Clinical Nutrition Research Program, calls for a shift in the obesity debate: "Instead of blaming individuals, we should focus on understanding the underlying physiological mechanisms and developing treatments that target the root causes of obesity."
Researchers believe that the future of obesity treatment lies in personalized medicine, which tailors treatment to each patient's unique metabolic profile. This approach could help move away from ineffective, one-size-fits-all solutions and towards more precise interventions.
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