During the past few years, genetic research has made great strides in the identification of variants in human genome that affect body weight regulation; and emerging studies have shown evidence for interactions between genetic factors and dietary factors on obesity, weight loss, and maintenance.
The Genetic Influence on Losing Weight
These genetic differences can impact metabolism, appetite regulation, and the distribution of body fat. For example, some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to a slower metabolic rate, making it harder for them to burn calories efficiently.
Stunkard and colleagues (1986) estimated that as much as 70 percent of the variance in the occurrence of obesity could be attributed to genetic factors, but other authors have postulated that as little as 20 percent of the variance is due to genetic factors.
Muscle helps keep up the rate at which you burn calories (metabolism). So as you lose weight, your metabolism declines, causing you to burn fewer calories than you did at your heavier weight. Your slower metabolism will slow your weight loss, even if you eat the same number of calories that helped you lose weight.
If you're asking yourself, “Why am I gaining weight when I barely eat,” several factors may be at play. Your body may be holding onto fat stores if your eating habits are inconsistent or restricted. Or, your weight gain may be the effect of a sedentary lifestyle, medical condition, or long-term stress.
Weight loss resistance is a complex issue that is influenced by various factors, including hormonal imbalances, chronic stress, poor sleep quality, medications, poor gut health, thyroid disorders, sex hormone fluctuations, and blood sugar imbalance with insulin or leptin resistance.
Genetic predisposition
Some individuals may experience obesity or an inability to lose weight or certain metabolic disorders which are in fact the result of hereditary or genetic factors rather than lifestyle choices.
A person's build depends largely on genetic factors, which is why it is difficult for a naturally thin person to put on weight. The human body can change to a limited extent through weight training and increased food intake. Gaining or regaining weight can be just as difficult as losing weight.
Lean muscle mass is more compact than fat. If you are muscular you can weigh quite a bit and not look fat. A person can be an ideal weight and have a lot of fat and look bulky. Another person can be overweight and have mostly muscle mass, and look lean and healthy.
A genetic predisposition to obesity can be overcome, in part, by having a physically active lifestyle. Writing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vimaleswaran and co-investigators show that physical activity attenuates the BMI-increasing effects of an FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated) risk allele.
These likely include genes, hormones, diet and lifestyle, including sleep, physical activity and stress. You gain weight when you eat more calories than you burn — or burn fewer calories than you eat. Some people seem to lose weight more quickly and more easily than others.
You're Doing the Wrong Exercises
Those sit-ups aren't enough. You also need weight training to build muscle. More muscle means more calorie burning. That said, if you can only do one exercise, choose aerobic exercise (like walking or running).
Your body eventually adapts to your workout regime, so you burn fewer calories and slow down weight loss progress. Other health conditions: There are some medical conditions that can drive weight gain and make it harder to lose weight. These include hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome and sleep apnea.
You're indeed at an increased risk for obesity if you're genetically predisposed — but that doesn't mean it has to be your life. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 15 genes play a role in obesity.
This can be boiled down to good genes with a high metabolism, although experts say nutritional and behavioural factors could play a part to stave off the extra pounds of a person's body weight.
So, as you start working out regularly and building strength, the new muscle you build may eventually weigh more than the fat you've burnt off. (Learn more about muscle weight vs. fat weight.) It often takes at least a month or two to add enough muscle to tip the scale, so don't be surprised if it happens.
According to a study published in 2021 in the journal Science, metabolism actually holds steady from ages 20 to 60 — so long as your muscle mass doesn't change — then declines by about 0.7 percent a year after 60.
Men's bodies generally respond to dieting by the loss of more weight at their trunk and women typically shed the excess weight from the hips area. The causes of it are related both to hormonal influence and the application of whole-body composition.
People with only a moderate genetic predisposition to be overweight have a good chance of losing weight on their own by eating fewer calories and getting more vigorous exercise more often. These people are more likely to be able to maintain this lower weight.
The 30/30/30 is a weight loss method that involves eating 30 g of protein within the first 30 minutes of your day and following it with 30 minutes of light exercise. This morning routine is rooted in sound science, and it could be a good way to increase your capacity to burn fat while keeping lean muscle.
But many health care providers agree that a medical evaluation is called for if you lose more than 5% of your weight in 6 to 12 months, especially if you're an older adult. For example, a 5% weight loss in someone who is 160 pounds (72 kilograms) is 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms).