Obesity is a disease that affects more and more people. According to the World Obesity Federationin 2035 more than half of the world population could be affected by it. Treating obesity with diets, drugs or operations is not always easy or effective. This is why it is very important to try to prevent it, that is, avoid it before it presents itself.
How the genetic score that predicts obesity works
A study published on Nature Medicine that discovered a new way to do it. The researchers analyzed the genetic data (i.e. relating to DNA) of over five million people and have created a new parameter called polygenic risk score (Polygenic Risk Scorein English). This score takes into account many small variations in DNA which, added to each other, can say if a person is more likely to become obese in the future.
This score can already be used during childhood, to understand if a child is more at risk. So you can immediately adopt good habits such as a balanced diet and more physical activity, to reduce the risk of obesity as adults.
The new method has proven to be twice more precise compared to the systems used so far. According to one of the authors of the study, Kaitlin Wade, the risk of obesity depends on many factors: not only genetics, but also lifestyle, the environment and behavior. Many of these begin precisely during childhood.
Because the test works better with some populations
However, there are also gods important limits. The study showed that the test works better in people with European origins, while it is less precise for those with African origins. For this reason, in the future it will be important to involve groups of people with different origins, so as to make the test useful for everyone.
Finally, researchers noticed that people with high genetic risk are also those who respond better to preventive interventions (such as diet and exercise). But when these interventions stop, they tend to regain weight more easily.
In summary, this genetic score could become a precious ally in the fight against obesity, as long as you use it rightly and carefully to everyone.