“The article explores the biological mechanisms that work against us when we try to lose weight. A leader in the field of “obesity reversal” research, Timothy Bartness says that when we start to lose weight, our entire physiology works against us. The story describes the brain’s and nervous system’s role in keeping the body fat; the messages the brain sends the body to make it hold onto fat; and whether treatment for obesity might one day include shutting off those messages – or sending a different message – in order to facilitate weight loss. The article is unique because most research and media coverage on obesity focus on obesity prevention and obesity consequences. This story, however, focuses on the potential for obesity reversal. It is one thing to prevent obesity, Bartness says, but what about all the people who are already obese? What do we do for them? Diet and exercise – which seem to be the sole focus of most coverage of obesity intervention, along with gastric bypass – are simply not enough, he says. This story explores whether it may one day be possible to manipulate the very biological mechanisms that allow us to get fat and stay fat.”
