Genetic Effect on the Response to Obesity Treatment

Based on their genes, patients with severe and complicated obesity respond differently to dietary weight loss programs.

The GERONIMO project studied patients attending the obesity clinic at Galway University Hospital who were undergoing an intensive short-term program of medically supervised dietary restriction in order to attempt to reverse some of the medical problems with severe obesity.

Carbohydrates and Its Role in Obesity
Over 1 billion people world-wide are obese thus affecting their health due to their nutrition and lifestyle. 3.9% of India’s population is obese! Know more about obesity and its prevention.

‘Heritability and genetics play a huge role in influencing body weight and the risk of obesity-related complications like diabetes.’

During the research scientists were able to analyze small variations in hundreds of genes that are known to be associated with obesity. By combining information from these measured gene variations together, a ‘genetic risk score’ was calculated for six different obesity-related traits.

Professor Francis Finucane, senior lecturer in the School of Medicine at University of Galway and Consultant Endocrinologist at Galway University Hospitals who led the clinical study, said: “Mechanistic studies like these, which help us to understand why some people respond better than others to the same intervention, are really important in providing more personalized and effective treatments for people with obesity.”

Obesity and Genetics

Professor Alex Blakemore, Professor in Human Genomics at Brunel University London, said: “No-one chooses their genes, so, as a society, we need to recognize that when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, the challenge is greater for some people than for others. This study reveals just a small part of the picture of how our genes can help or hinder us in reaching our health goals.”

The GERONIMO project involved 93 patients who volunteered for the study. They were monitored while taking part in a meal replacement program.

Weight Loss Calculator
Weight Loss Calculator calculates calories needed to lose weight for men and women. Find out the amount of calories burned while doing exercises for weight loss and check the list of low calorie foods.

Their average body mass index at the start of the study was 52kgm-2, which means that they weighed more than twice their maximum ‘healthy weight’.

The participants lost an average of 16% of their body weight, or 21kg after 24 weeks.

Quiz on Obesity

“We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are”. - Adelle Davis

There are thousands out there battling ‘the bulge’. With childhood obesity on the rise even children are not spared. If your weight issues are threatening to weigh you down learn more about obesity by taking part in this quiz.

Speaking about next stages in the research Professor Finucane said: “This work is exciting and important because it is the first Irish study to demonstrate a genetic effect on the response to a treatment for obesity.

“The genetic effects we found here were subtle, but we think it would be good to explore this further, in larger studies and with different obesity treatments, such as drug therapy or ‘metabolic surgery’.”

Bad Foods that May Still Be Good for Weight Loss
Who thought potato or pasta could help with your weight loss? Watch this slideshow to find out what researchers and nutritionists are saying about these and other 'bad' foods.

Source-Eurekalert