Losing weight is hard, but keeping it off is even harder. Many people who successfully lose weight end up gaining some or all of it back. Scientists want to understand why this happens. A new study called POWERS is following over 200 people who lost weight to see what changes in their bodies and habits make it difficult to keep the weight off. By measuring things like how much they eat, how much energy they burn, and even brain activity, researchers hope to discover which people are most likely to regain weight and why. This information could help doctors create better plans to help people maintain their weight loss long-term.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Why some people gain back weight after losing it, and what happens in their bodies and minds that makes weight regain so common
- Who participated: Over 200 adults with obesity who participated in a weight loss program. Those who lost at least 7% of their starting weight and kept it stable for a period were followed for one year to track what happened next
- Key finding: This study is designed to identify the specific body changes and behaviors that predict whether someone will regain weight after losing it. Researchers expect about 70% of participants to complete the full study, giving them detailed information about energy intake, energy burning, and other factors
- What it means for you: Understanding why weight regain happens could lead to better, more personalized weight loss plans in the future. However, this is an early-stage study focused on gathering information rather than testing a specific solution, so immediate practical changes may be limited
The Research Details
The POWERS study is a carefully designed research project that follows people through two main phases. First, participants go through a weight loss program at two different medical centers over several months. The program uses proven behavioral strategies to help people lose weight. Second, those who successfully lose at least 7% of their starting weight and maintain that loss enter a one-year observation phase where researchers intensively measure what’s happening in their bodies and lives.
During the observation phase, researchers use multiple advanced methods to understand each person’s situation. They measure how much energy people burn using special techniques like doubly labeled water (a safe tracer method) and indirect calorimetry (measuring oxygen use). They track physical activity with accelerometers (like a fitness tracker). They also measure sleep patterns, brain activity related to food, eating behaviors, and psychological factors. This multi-method approach gives a complete picture of each person’s situation.
The study is designed this way because weight regain is complex—it involves the body’s metabolism, hunger signals, eating habits, emotions, and lifestyle all working together. By measuring all these factors, researchers can figure out which ones matter most for each person.
This research approach is important because previous studies have shown that weight regain is very common, but we don’t fully understand why it happens to some people more than others. By carefully measuring multiple factors before and after weight loss, researchers can identify patterns that predict who will struggle to maintain their weight loss. This information could eventually lead to personalized approaches where doctors can predict problems early and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
This is a well-designed study with several strengths: it uses objective, scientific measurements rather than just asking people to remember what they ate or did; it follows people over time rather than just taking a snapshot; it measures multiple factors simultaneously to understand the complete picture; and it’s conducted at multiple medical centers, which increases the reliability of findings. The main limitation is that it’s observational during the follow-up phase, meaning researchers watch what happens rather than testing a specific intervention. Additionally, the study requires significant participant commitment, which might mean the final group is different from the general population in some ways.
What the Results Show
This paper describes the study design and goals rather than final results, since the research is ongoing. However, the primary outcome being measured is weight change during the one-year observation period after successful weight loss. The main factors researchers will examine are energy intake (how much people eat) and energy expenditure (how much energy their bodies burn). The study anticipates that about 70% of the 205 enrolled participants will successfully complete the weight loss phase and enter the observation period, with approximately 100 people completing the entire study.
The researchers will use detailed measurements to understand why some people maintain their weight loss while others regain weight. These measurements include biomarkers (chemical signals in blood and other body fluids), brain imaging to understand food-related thoughts and cravings, precise measurements of physical activity, sleep quality, and detailed interviews about eating behaviors and life circumstances. By combining all this information, they hope to identify specific patterns that predict weight regain.
The study is particularly interested in understanding metabolic adaptation—the way the body changes after weight loss to make it harder to keep weight off. This includes changes in hunger hormones, changes in how much energy the body burns at rest, and changes in how the brain responds to food. Understanding these adaptations could explain why weight loss feels harder to maintain than it was to achieve.
Beyond the main weight change measurements, the study will examine psychological and behavioral factors that contribute to weight regain. This includes stress levels, emotional eating patterns, sleep quality, social support, and life circumstances. The study also measures detailed aspects of eating behavior, such as portion sizes, food choices, eating speed, and hunger/fullness awareness. Brain imaging will provide information about how the brain’s reward system responds to food after weight loss, which may explain why cravings intensify. Physical activity patterns will be tracked objectively, not just through self-report, to understand whether people become less active after weight loss.
Previous research has shown that weight regain is extremely common, with many people regaining 30-50% of lost weight within one year. This study builds on that knowledge by trying to understand the mechanisms behind regain rather than just documenting that it happens. Earlier studies suggested that metabolic changes, increased hunger, and behavioral changes all play roles, but this research will provide more detailed information about how these factors work together in individual people. The multi-center approach and use of advanced measurement techniques represent an improvement over previous studies that relied more heavily on self-reported information.
This study has several important limitations to understand. First, it’s observational during the follow-up phase, meaning researchers can identify patterns but can’t prove that one factor causes weight regain. Second, the requirement for participants to lose weight and maintain it before entering the observation phase means the final group might be different from people who struggle more with weight loss—they may have different genetics, psychology, or circumstances. Third, the intensive measurement requirements might attract people who are particularly motivated or have more resources, which could limit how well the findings apply to everyone. Fourth, the study measures many factors, which creates a lot of data but also makes it harder to identify which factors are truly most important. Finally, the one-year observation period, while substantial, may not be long enough to understand very long-term weight maintenance patterns.
The Bottom Line
This study is in the information-gathering phase, so specific recommendations aren’t yet available. However, the research suggests that successful long-term weight maintenance likely requires attention to multiple factors: eating patterns, physical activity, sleep quality, stress management, and psychological factors like emotional eating. People attempting weight loss should be aware that their bodies will naturally resist weight maintenance through increased hunger and reduced energy expenditure, and this is normal physiology, not personal failure. Once this study produces results, it may lead to more personalized recommendations based on individual risk factors for weight regain.
This research is most relevant for people who have lost weight or are planning to lose weight and want to understand the challenges of maintaining that loss. It’s also important for healthcare providers, dietitians, and weight loss program designers who want to create more effective long-term strategies. People with obesity who are considering weight loss should understand that regain is common and that future personalized approaches based on this research might help. However, this study doesn’t provide immediate practical solutions, so people currently trying to lose weight should continue following evidence-based approaches while waiting for these results.
This is a long-term research project. The weight loss phase takes several months, and the observation phase takes one year. The study is expected to be completed with about 100 participants finishing the full protocol. After completion, researchers will need additional time to analyze the data and publish results, likely taking another 1-2 years. Therefore, practical applications from this research probably won’t be available for 2-3 years or more. However, the insights gained could eventually lead to improved weight loss programs within 3-5 years.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily weight at the same time each morning, weekly average weight, and note any weight changes of 2-3 pounds or more. Also track energy intake (calories or food portions), physical activity minutes, sleep hours, and stress levels to identify patterns that correlate with weight changes
- Use the app to set specific, measurable goals for maintaining weight loss, such as ‘walk 30 minutes daily,’ ’eat protein at each meal,’ ‘sleep 7-8 hours,’ and ‘practice one stress-reduction activity daily.’ The app can send reminders and track completion of these behaviors to help identify which ones matter most for your weight stability
- Create a dashboard that shows weight trends alongside activity, sleep, stress, and eating patterns over weeks and months. This helps identify personal patterns—for example, whether weight increases correlate with poor sleep, high stress, or reduced activity. Share this data with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized maintenance plan based on your specific risk factors
This article describes a research study in progress and does not provide medical advice or treatment recommendations. The findings discussed are preliminary and based on study design rather than final results. Anyone considering weight loss should consult with their healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for personalized guidance. This research is informational and should not replace professional medical advice. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. If you have questions about weight loss or weight maintenance, please speak with your doctor.