Why people can have different weights on the same diet

U.S. scientists have discovered biomarkers that are associated with sustained weight maintenance after weight loss and may help develop personalized weight-loss diets. The study by scientists from Stanford University was published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.

The experiment involved 609 people who recorded all the foods they ate and physical activity data for a year. At the same time, they followed a diet low in fat or carbohydrates.

The study found that simply cutting calories or exercising was not enough to maintain weight after weight loss. People who consumed the same amount of calories could end up both gaining and maintaining weight.

Researchers identified several biomarkers that predicted, even before weight loss, how successful a person would be at losing weight and keeping it off in the long run. These biomarkers were related to the activity of gut bacteria.

Another important indicator was the respiratory quotient, the ratio of inhaled oxygen to exhaled carbon dioxide. A lower ratio means the body burns more fat, and a higher ratio means it burns more carbohydrates. People who had a high breathing ratio at the beginning of the study lost more weight on the low-carb diet. In other words, if a person's body prefers carbs, it will be easier for them to lose weight on a low-carbohydrate diet.

The scientists' findings, if confirmed, could form the basis of personalized weight loss diets. The authors noted that until then, the focus should be on eating high-quality, unprocessed foods that are low in refined flour, sugar and saturated fat.

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