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 attending the same clinic were selected for comparison based on age, BMI at initial clinic visit. This group did not receive a nutrigenetic test. BMI and waist circumference reduction 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 second group received generic messages through whatsapp, a mobile app used to send messages. After 120 days of follow-up individuals in the nutrigenetic group were more likely to have maintained some weight loss (82%) than those in the comparison group (21%) and motivation and willingness to lose weight were higher than the comparison group. Addition of nutrigenetically tailored diets resulted in better compliance, higher motivation and improved weight loss and longterm weight management

Weight loss, obesity, nutrigenetics, gene- nutrient interactions