New research suggests that “motivational” conversations meant to inspire weight loss make little difference for those looking to shed and keep off extra pounds.

Melanie R. Jay, MD, an associate professor of medicine and population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and co-director of NYU Langone’s Comprehensive Program on Obesity, speaks to HealthDay on why motivation has its place, but is not enough on its own to lead to progress for dieters.

According to Dr. Jay, long-term weight loss also requires much more than motivation: Obesity is complex, and many forces that are outside a person’s control are at work. Obesity is genetic, as research has found, and while diet and exercise are important, it is more complicated than just making healthy choices.

“If you do it right, it’s a conversation,” says Dr. Jay, adding that it “puts patients in the driver’s seat,” and allows them to articulate their goals.

Being surrounded by fast food and other unhealthy diet choices, and lack of opportunities to be active make it very difficult, especially for those who live in low-income “food deserts,” to make those healthy choices regularly.

In general, the human body resists efforts to shed weight. When people cut calories, the body’s metabolism alters to slow the use of energy. This is a survival mechanism to combat starvation.

“Motivation is important,” says Dr. Jay, “but it’s not enough.”

Read more from HealthDay.