Iraqi internist ties weight loss to understanding individual hunger patterns

GENEVA, Switzerland — An Iraqi internal and geriatric medicine specialist working in Geneva has argued that successful weight loss depends not only on what a person eats, but also on understanding how they experience hunger. Dr. Seyf al-Jarrah said the biggest mistake people make is dieting without first identifying their body type and hunger patterns, and outlined an approach he calls the "fitrah system." According to Dr. al-Jarrah, the approach divides people into four hunger types — lion, bear, wolf and fox — each with different eating patterns, feelings of fullness and responses to stress. He recommended that individuals first identify their hunger type and then build a nutritional plan around it rather than follow a generic diet. Dr. al-Jarrah said his view is supported by a 2021 Mayo Clinic study showing that responses to obesity vary from person to person. He stressed that weight loss is not only about counting calories, and that a sustainable lifestyle requires understanding the body's specific needs. The physician also noted that excess weight can contribute to type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, joint problems and hormonal disorders. He did not provide further details on the patient groups his approach targets or its clinical results.