A COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS: IMPROVED WEIGHT MANAGEMENT USING NUTRIGENETICALLY TAILORED DIET AMONG INDIANS

Abstract

Studies on gene-environment interactions demonstrate differences in the human metabolic individuality depending upon the genetic variations affecting nutrient absorption, biosynthesis, metabolism and transport. In this study, we examined whether a nutrigenetically tailored diet could improve an individual’s compliance & long-term weight management. Similar studies were carried out in several populations, however, there are no such studies, to date, among Asian Indians. In this study, we selected individuals, generally healthy, free- living adults, both men and women with BMI 25- 40 kg/m2 and with previous history of failures at weight loss who visited a Weight Loss Clinic, based in Coimbatore, India & were offered a nutrigenetic test. We included 54 individuals in the intervention group who received personalised dietary advice for weight loss based on the nutrigenetic test and another set of 52 individuals visiting the same clinic were included in the comparison group based on their age, height, weight and BMI . This group did not receive a nutrigenetic test. BMI and waist circumference at 30 days, 60 days, 90 days were measured and they were followed up at 120 days. Personalised weight loss motivational messages were sent to individuals in the intervention group based on the nutrigenetic test results, whereas the other group received generic messages through whatsapp, a mobile app used to send messages. After 120 days of follow-up individuals in the intervention group were more likely to have maintained some weight loss (82%) than those in the comparison group (21%) . Motivation and willingness to lose weight was also found to be higher than the comparison group. Our study revealed that there was better compliance, higher motivation and improved weight loss and long-term weight management as a result of adding a nutrigenetically designed diet based on the genetic make-up.