There exists a remarkable trait in some individuals: the ability to maintain a slender physique despite consuming substantial amounts of food, and often of mediocre nutritional quality. Scientific publications attribute this phenomenon to an interplay of several elements, as asserted by the authors of numerous studies. “Novosvyat” reports on the key elements, referencing a piece published in the specialized journal, Cell Metabolism.
The findings of a research team composed of experts from the University of Aberdeen and the Chinese Academy of Sciences were detailed in a widely read scientific periodical. They contrasted the metrics of 150 individuals whose Body Mass Index (BMI) was below 18.5 with those of 173 subjects maintaining a standard weight. It was discovered that the cohort with lower body mass, on average, consumed 12% fewer calories and exhibited reduced levels of physical exertion. Furthermore, these individuals demonstrated a higher rate of energy expenditure while at rest, a condition linked to elevated levels of thyroid hormones.
Scientists further emphasize the significance of Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT)—the energy expended daily outside of sleeping, eating, or structured exercise. According to the research team, the discrepancy in NEAT between two people of identical build can reach as high as 2000 calories daily. On average, individuals struggling with obesity spend 150 more minutes sitting each day compared to their leaner counterparts. In 2023, a hypothesis even arose suggesting an innate neurobiological imperative for spontaneous movement, dubbed the “fidget factor.”
Heredity is yet another contributing element. Specialists compared the DNA of the very thin, those with obesity, and those within the normal weight range, successfully identifying genetic variations associated with the propensity for weight gain and those that encourage leanness.
Sleep also exerts an influence on body weight. A meta-analysis conducted by Italian researchers in 2020 indicated that persistent lack of sleep increases the likelihood of developing obesity.
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