Can informing people about their genetic risk for obesity help them change their habits and lose excess weight? Study published in the journal obesity reviews Research by scientists, including those at SWPS University, shows that knowing your genes alone is not enough. Effective behavior change requires long-term, individualized support.
Obesity is a global problem. By 2022, one in eight people worldwide will be living with the condition. In 2019 alone, being overweight was responsible for an estimated 5 million non-communicable disease deaths. The economic effect is also large. Experts predict that the global costs associated with obesity will reach $3 trillion annually by 2030.
Research shows that the obesity epidemic results from a complex interaction between environmental, psychosocial, physiological, and genetic mechanisms. Genes certainly play an important role, but research into the effects of lifestyle clearly shows that genes do not necessarily determine our future. Maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity are key factors in effectively reducing the risk of both obesity and obesity-related comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Despite this, many prevention programs are still based on universal guidelines and fail to address the needs of individual patients.
How do we communicate the risks of obesity?
An international research team working as part of the Horizon Europe-funded BETTER4U project consortium decided to analyze whether knowledge about the genetic risks of obesity can change health behaviors and how this knowledge can be most effectively communicated. Scientists, including researchers from SWPS University’s CARE-BEH Center for Applied Research in Health Behavior and Health, analyzed more than 2,000 publications as part of a systematic review. The final analysis included 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 18 interventions and approximately 8,000 participants.
Genetic risk information is not a “magic ingredient”
In an era of rapid development of personalized medicine, genetic testing is becoming increasingly popular. Many of us hope that knowing our DNA profile will give us a clear path to health and help us maintain the body shape of our dreams. Unfortunately, things aren’t that simple. The study’s conclusions show that information about genetic risk alone does not work. Without additional support, providing patients with information about their genetic background usually does not lead to lasting changes in weight, eating habits, or physical activity levels.says Dr. Zofia Szczka, a psychologist at the CARE-BEH Health Behavior Applied Research Center at SWPS University’s Institute of Psychology and lead author of the study.
As the researchers write in their paper, this is consistent with the theory that interventions focused on risk communication result in short-term changes in behavior or no change at all.
Additionally, this approach can be counterproductive, especially in people who are genetically at low risk for obesity. Knowing that you have “good genes” can give you a false sense of security. The result, paradoxically, is that we often make poor dietary choices, indulge in unhealthy foods, and neglect physical activity.
The situation is quite different when it comes to people who are genetically at high risk for obesity. In this group, communicating risks increases motivation to take action. However, positive effects, such as actual weight loss, were primarily observed when this communication was combined with an intensive, specialized support program such as goal setting, progress monitoring, feedback, and social support.
Long and complex programs are most effective
Interventions need to be individualized not only in terms of the patient’s genes but also in terms of specific action plans and goals. The most promising results are achieved with complex programs lasting, say, 12 months that combine genetic risk communication with behavior change techniques.emphasizes Szczuka.
The researchers’ analysis shows that without the right psychological tools, knowledge of genetic risks alone is insufficient to make lasting changes to a person’s lifestyle. Information about genetic risks can only motivate patients if they receive a concrete action plan and ongoing support to change their habits. Moreover, in addition to expanding patient knowledge, effective communication about genetic risks should also influence patients’ emotions and sense of agency. This makes it easier for patients to automate healthy choices in their daily lives.
The authors of the paper “Are there effective behavior change strategies to communicate genetic risks in obesity prevention and weight loss interventions?” are Dr. Zofia Szczka (SWPS University), Dr. Paulina Krzywicka (SWPS University), Dr. Anna Kornafel (SWPS University), and Dr. Jowita Misiakowska (SWPS University). SWPS University), Dr. Hanna Zarecikiewicz (SWPS University), Dr. Maria Kafila (Harokopio University), Professor Ioanna Panagiota Carafa (Harokopio University Thessaly), Professor George Dedousis (Harokopio University), Professor Aleksandra Uszczynska (SWPS University).
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Reference magazines:
Schutzka, Z. Others. (2026) Are there effective behavior change strategies to communicate genetic risk in obesity prevention and weight loss interventions? obesity reviews. DOI: 10.1111/obr.70132. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/obr.70132
