Enhancing health outcomes through genetic-based personalized nutrition: investigating the effects of dietary behavior change

BACKGROUND: Personalized nutrition, an approach using individual-specific information to tailor dietary recommendations, has emerged as a promising strategy for promoting healthier eating behaviors and improving health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the impact of genetically informed dietary behavior changes on health improvement. METHODS: Data related to behavior changes and health improvements were collected from 874 research participants who had received a genetics-based personalized nutrition report for at least one year, as part of a retrospective cohort study. Changes related to improvements in health associated with behavioral change and key genotypes were analyzed using chi-square tests, paired t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Behavior changes had a significant impact on participants’ health, with an average of 57% reporting health improvement, compared to 12% for those who did not modify their behaviors (p < 0.001). Weight changes, albeit modest, were also significantly different, with individuals averaging a weight change of –0.5% and + 1.5% for those who changed and did not change their behavior, respectively. The results showed segregation according to key genotypes in the FTO, TCFL2, LEPR, and PPARG genes. The duration of the behavior change also showed a positive effect on health improvement rates. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that an actionable, genetics-based personalized nutrition service can help foster sustainable behavioral changes, leading to higher rates of health improvements.