"Can't Lose Weight Today Either... It's Not My Fault, It's 'Brain Fault'"

Yale Researchers Say "Dieting May Be a Brain Issue"
Obese Individuals Show Blunted Brain Responses to Certain Nutrients
Such Brain Responses Do Not Improve Even After Weight Loss

A study has found that failure to control weight may be due to brain issues rather than a lack of willpower in dieting.

On the 12th (local time), CNN reported that researchers at Yale University revealed that obese individuals have a dulled brain response to certain nutrients, which leads to binge eating.

This brain response was found not to improve even after weight loss. The study results were published in the June 12 issue of the international journal on medicine and life sciences, Nature Metabolism.

The researchers conducted experiments on 30 men and women with normal weight (BMI 25 kg/㎡ or below) and 30 obese individuals (BMI 30 or above). They directly injected specific nutrients such as fat, carbohydrates, and protein into their stomachs while measuring brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

As a result, people with a slim or normal body type showed slowed brain activity and increased dopamine release, a chemical that provides a sense of "reward" from food. In contrast, obese participants showed delayed or absent responses.

A study has found that failure to control weight may be due to brain problems rather than a lack of willpower leading to diet failure.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The researchers explained that because it takes longer for dopamine release to occur through eating in obese individuals, they are prone to binge or overeat.

Subsequently, the researchers conducted a 12-week (3-month) weight loss program with the 30 obese participants and observed their brain responses. Even those who lost more than 10% of their body weight did not immediately return to normal brain response patterns.

The researchers stated, "The fact that brain responses take time to normalize after weight loss explains why most people initially succeed in losing weight but soon experience yo-yo effects."

Meanwhile, to succeed in dieting, it is recommended to satisfy appetite according to metabolism. Sugars that cause weight gain are best consumed during metabolically active times such as breakfast or lunch. Additionally, sufficient protein intake helps regulate appetite.

This is because cravings for sugar increase during overeating or binge eating, leading to higher carbohydrate intake. At this time, consuming adequate protein is effective in suppressing appetite.

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