Why it's hard for obese people to lose weight

When obese people diet, they often find it virtually impossible to lose weight - the less food they eat, the less energy they burn, and the less weight they lose. Researchers from UNSW Medicine and the Garvan Institute have found the exact brain circuitry behind this phenomenon.

Their findings have been published in the prestigious international journal Cell Metabolism.

Dr Shu Lin, Dr Yanchuan Shi, Dr Amanda Sainsbury and UNSW Conjoint Professor Herbert Herzog and his team at the Garvan have been studying the complex processes behind energy balance using various mouse models. They have shown that the neurotransmitter Neuropeptide Y (NPY), known for stimulating appetite, also plays a major role in controlling whether the body burns or conserves energy.

For the full story, go to the Garvan Institute.