New research suggests the human brain is biologically programmed to defend body fat, making it difficult for many people to maintain weight loss even after successful dieting. The article also highlights findings from recent research suggesting that the brain can effectively “remember” a person’s previous higher body weight. Once the body has reached a heavier weight, the brain may begin treating that weight as its normal state and attempt to restore it after weight loss. “The fact that our bodies have this capacity to ‘remember’ our previous heavier weight helps to explain why so many people regain weight after dieting,” the authors wrote. They added: “This weight regain is not due to a lack of discipline; rather, our biology is doing exactly what it evolved to do: defend against weight loss.”