Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin predict that in the near future, "precision weight loss" — a weight loss program tailored according to a person's DNA — will be the next big thing in treating obesity and helping people achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
The researchers created a summary report on various factors that affect weight loss and weight gain. They concluded that a person's genetic information along with information about environment, activities and diet can be used to formulate weight loss recommendations specifically suited for that person.
The ease of collecting information about a person's real-time eating habits, environment and activities through portable fitness trackers like Fitbit has made it possible for a wealth of data to be available for analysis. Additionally, genome sequencing is not as costly as it used to be.
"We've made great strides in our understanding of what drives eating behavior, how fat cells are formed and how metabolism is altered before and after the onset of obesity," said lead researcher Molly Bray, a geneticist and professor of nutritional sciences from the University of Texas at Austin, in a news release. "The time is ripe to take this wealth of data and find ways to utilize it more effectively to treat people in need."
The only thing lacking, the researchers said, is a tool that can analyze the data collected. Bray said that in the near future, it could be possible to gather genetic information through saliva samples. An algorithm could analyze the DNA data and other relevant information to come up with precise weight loss recommendations.
"I think within five years, we'll see people start to use a combination of genetic, behavioral and other sophisticated data to develop individualized weight management plans," said Bray.
This could also help health experts understand why a lot of people who lose weight struggle to maintain it for the long-term and eventually regain weight, she added.
The study was published online Dec. 22 in the journal Obesity.
