Yo-yo dieters who continually regain lost weight tend to regain weight in which body area?

Individuals who experience yo-yo dieting often regain weight primarily in the abdominal area due to several physiological and hormonal responses triggered by cycles of weight loss and weight gain. These weight fluctuations can lead to changes in body composition and distribution of fat.

When someone goes through yo-yo dieting, the body may adapt by increasing fat storage, particularly in the abdominal region, as a protective mechanism against future food scarcity. The abdomen is also associated with visceral fat, which is more likely to accumulate in response to stress and hormonal changes from repeated dieting.

In addition, factors such as insulin resistance, cortisol levels related to dieting stress, and genetic predispositions can influence where the body tends to store fat after cycles of weight loss and regain. Consequently, the tendency to regain weight around the abdomen after dieting efforts is well-documented in research related to body fat distribution and metabolic responses in individuals who frequently engage in yo-yo dieting.