Subtle Shifts, Lasting Weight

Are brief periods of instability silently driving weight gain? A new study suggests so — and acupuncture may offer quiet protection.

Many assume that weight gain results from gradual, incremental habits — a slow, steady accumulation over time. But a recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity challenges this linear view. It uncovers something far more subtle: a substantial portion of fat gain occurs during brief, intense episodes — often unnoticed and almost always coinciding with periods of disruption. Holidays, job changes, illness, celebrations, or other transitional phases of life — these are the moments when energy balance is abruptly lost, caloric intake rises, and physical activity declines. Crucially, although these episodes are sporadic, their physiological impact can be long-lasting.

As an acupuncture physician, I regard acupuncture as a valuable tool for navigating such critical junctures. Regular sessions help regulate sleep cycles, modulate appetite, reduce emotional eating, manage anxiety, and maintain vital energy in balance. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, acupuncture strengthens the digestive system and stabilises the body’s central energy. From a Western medical standpoint, it supports neuroendocrine regulation and enhances the body’s self-regulatory mechanisms.

In this context, prevention goes beyond the daily scrutiny of one’s plate. It demands attentiveness to the subtle thresholds of transition — those psychological and physiological inflection points where life quietly shifts. Acupuncture may operate in silence, but its effects can be profound: it acts as a steadying force during upheaval, preserving balance when the familiar rhythm falters. After all, even small emotional storms can leave deep physiological marks if the body isn’t already fortified.

Reference: Speakman, J. R., Levitsky, D. A., & Westerterp, K. R. (2025). Lifestyle instability: an overlooked cause of population obesity? International Journal of Obesity. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-025-01787-5

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