Researchers pave the way for individualized obesity therapy, tailoring interventions to a person’s needs

In a pilot study of 165 people, Mayo Clinic researchers looked at the effectiveness of two different approaches to weight loss: a standard lifestyle intervention and individualized therapy. The standard lifestyle intervention included a reduced diet, exercise and behavior therapy. The individualized approach was based on phenotypes and included different interventions depending on the person’s predominant underlying cause of obesity. A diet based on phenotypes considers a person’s genetic and phenotypic characteristics to create a tailored eating plan meant to optimize health and well-being.