Genes — not willpower — may explain why some dieters see the scale refuse to budge, new research says
A joint study from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Israel’s Ben-Gurion University followed 761 adults with abdominal obesity for 18–24 months. Participants were randomly assigned to one of several evidence-based eating patterns (low-fat, low-carb, Mediterranean or “green” Mediterranean).
The surprise: Roughly one-third of volunteers never shed meaningful weight — and some even gained — despite strong adherence to the diets.
The upside: Blood-work told another story. These “weight-loss-resistant” participants logged sizable improvements in cholesterol, leptin (the “hunger hormone”) and deep visceral fat, matching the metabolic gains of those who did trim down.
Lead author Dr. Anat Yaskolka Meir calls the findings “a message of hope, not failure,” arguing that success should be measured by metabolic health, not just pounds lost.
| What the trial found | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 36 % achieved clinically significant weight loss | Genetics may give some people a head start |
| 36 % lost a moderate amount | Lifestyle changes still count |
| 28 % lost no weight or gained | Yet their heart-health markers improved |
Outside experts say the data match real-world experience: some patients respond quickly to diet and exercise, others need medication (e.g., GLP-1 agonists) or tailored programs to overcome genetic headwinds.
Mostly male cohort; future work should focus on women.
Results were short- to mid-term; long-term tracking is needed.
Bottom line: Even if the bathroom scale stalls, evidence-based nutrition can still lower cardiac risk — and genetic testing may soon help clinicians personalize weight-loss strategies.
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