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Scientists Discover Hidden Indicator of Future Weight Changes. 'Newsweek' reports that scientists may have found a way to predict weight gain or loss from the size of fat cells. Researchers from Sweden's Karolinska Institutet measured the size and number of fat cells in the abdominal fat of 260 volunteers. The team found that after an average of 15 years, those with larger fat cells tended to lose weight, while those with smaller fat cells were more prone to gaining weight. "We can only speculate as to why the size of a person's fat cells seems to predict their future weight." "Body weight decreases when energy expenditure exceeds intake and the body burns off fat to compensate." "Our results suggest that the loss of large fat cells makes more of an impact on weight than the loss of small ones." Peter Arner, one of the lead researchers on the study, notes that smaller fat cells have also been found to be linked to a better metabolic profile. "This means that if someone with small fat cells does gain weight, it may not raise their risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure as much as if they had large fat cells." 'Newsweek' reports that the team hope their findings will help develop more personalized weight management strategies for people in the future. "It could be of great clinical value to have information about fat cell size before starting a weight-management program." at the Karolinska Institutet, via 'Newsweek'. "If it is the case that those with large fat cells find it easier to lose weight, those with smaller cells could be given extra support." Peter Arner, a professor in the Department of Medicine at the Karolinska Institutet, via ‘Newsweek’. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT