Research paper
Sumithran P, Prendergast LA, Delbridge E, Purcell K, Shulkes A, Kriketos A, Proietto J. Long-term persistence of hormonal adaptations to weight loss. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(17):1597-1604.
Why we cite it
The definitive demonstration that diet-induced weight loss triggers hormonal changes — across nine appetite-regulating hormones — that persist for at least one year and actively promote weight regain. Published in the NEJM with over 1,200 citations, this paper shifted clinical understanding by providing biological evidence that weight regain is driven by persistent hormonal pressure, not simply a failure of willpower. It is the primary source for the project's treatment of hormonal adaptation as a key barrier to sustained weight loss.