Experts believe that in five years’ time, we will no longer have to rely on a variety of erratically effective diets to keep our weight in check and we will have the option of having an individual diet determined for us, using genomic analysis. In the latest issue of the Obesity Journal, a working group from the National Institutes of Health has published a report on the use of genomic information in developing weight management aimed at individuals.
This review was developed following a Trans-NIH Conference called “Genes, Behaviors, and Response to Weight Loss Interventions” and in it, the team led by Dr. Molly S. Bray provided an overview of what is going in the genetic and genomic research which relates to the area of weight change, or more precisely weight management.
According to Dr. Bray, obesity is one of the biggest problems of our age, with an increased number of people all over the world struggling to lose excess weight and thus reducing the risks for diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. This study, she added, was conducted to try and investigate whether there are genetic reasons for obesity and whether something could be done to help people lose weight based on their genetic predispositions and background.