A new study from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Ben Gurion University has delivered a reality check to anyone struggling to lose weight: your genetics may be the real obstacle. The research, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, followed 761 Israeli adults with abdominal obesity over 18 to 24 months and found that nearly a third of participants failed to shed pounds despite strict adherence to healthy diets.
Even more surprising? Those who didn’t lose weight still showed significant improvements in metabolic health. The findings are likely to shift how both doctors and patients measure success in weight-loss efforts.
A Genetic Glass Ceiling?
Participants were placed on various well-regarded diet plans—including low-fat, low-carb, Mediterranean, and green-Mediterranean options. Despite consistent compliance, only 36% achieved what researchers called “clinically significant” weight loss, while another 36% lost a moderate amount. The remaining 28% lost no weight at all or actually gained weight.
The researchers found a pattern among those who were weight-loss-resistant: they were disproportionately older and female. Yet even this group saw improvements in key health markers like cholesterol levels, leptin (a hormone that regulates hunger), and visceral fat—indicators of better cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Weight Isn’t the Whole Story
Lead researcher Dr. Anat Yaskolka Meir emphasized that weight alone shouldn’t define success. “We have been conditioned to equate weight loss with health, and weight-loss-resistant individuals are often labeled as failures,” she said. “Our findings reframe how we define clinical success.” According to Meir, even when the scale doesn’t move, healthy eating can reduce long-term disease risk.
The study’s outcomes resonate with many health professionals, including endocrinologist Dr. Philip Rabito, who told Fox News Digital, “There are likely genetic factors that affect an individual’s ability to lose weight. Despite similar efforts, some patients lose more weight than others.” Rabito added that with the right counseling and structure, most patients can still make meaningful health progress—even if the results aren’t dramatic on the scale.
Personalized Paths to Health
Dr. Manoel Galvao Neto of Orlando Health’s Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Institute echoed the genetic argument. He emphasized that DNA influences metabolism, appetite, fat storage, and response to exercise. He pointed out that emerging therapies, such as GLP-1 drugs, can help people with certain genetic markers like the so-called “hungry brain” maximize weight loss by up to 20%.
For patients discouraged by stubborn fat, this could be a game-changer. “Obesity is a disease that is chronic and progressive,” Neto explained. “So far, we don’t have a cure, but we are getting more and more information to help control it in a personalized way.”
The Real Victory? Better Health
While the traditional focus on pounds lost may still dominate the cultural conversation, this study is a reminder that internal health markers matter more than external appearances. Improved cholesterol, lower visceral fat, and stabilized appetite hormones all indicate reduced risk of serious illness—even if body weight remains unchanged.
Dr. Rabito summed it up best: “Even if there is minimal or no weight loss, the study shows that there are still improvements in health parameters just from participating in a weight-loss program.” Whether you lose ten pounds or none, your efforts may be keeping you healthier than you realize.
