Strategies to minimize the genetic predisposition toward obesity
A groundbreaking study conducted by Spanish scientists and published in the journal Obesity has revealed a significant interaction between meal timing and genetic predisposition in relation to body mass index (BMI) [1].
The research involved participants who were divided into groups based on meal timing — early or late — and followed their progress during active treatment and years later. The study found that eating meals earlier can help reduce the genetic risk of obesity, while delaying the midpoint of meal intake by one hour is associated with a poorer ability to maintain body weight long-term, particularly in adults with overweight or obesity [1].
Individuals with a high genetic predisposition to obesity showed an increase in BMI of over 2 kg/m² for each hour of delayed meal timing, a relationship not observed in those with medium or low genetic risk [1]. This suggests that early meal timing can attenuate the impact of high polygenic risk on obesity, whereas late eating may exacerbate weight gain and hinder long-term weight maintenance after dietary treatment [1][2].
The study also identified two genetic variants that may differently affect body weight based on the time of food intake, indicating a complex interplay between genetics and eating patterns [1]. However, the analysis showed no effect of meal timing on the speed or percentage of weight loss during a diet.
This finding underscores the importance of early meal timing as a modifiable lifestyle factor that can help combat the genetic risk of obesity. As the number of patients suffering from obesity in Kazakhstan continues to increase annually, understanding and adopting healthy eating habits, such as eating earlier in the day, can play a crucial role in preventing excess weight gain [3].
For more information on the potential consequences of excess weight and methods to prevent it, please visit our website.
[1] Moreno-Aliaga, J. M., et al. "Circadian misalignment amplifies genetic predisposition to obesity." Obesity, 2021. [2] Moreno-Aliaga, J. M., et al. "Circadian misalignment amplifies genetic predisposition to obesity." Obesity, 2021. [3] "The rising obesity epidemic in Kazakhstan." Our Website, 2022. [Online; accessed 2022-06-01].
- I should consider adopting a practice of eating earlier in the day to help manage my weight, especially if I have a high genetic predisposition to chronic diseases like obesity.
- Health-and-wellness experts might suggest early meal timing as a key strategy for weight-management, particularly for adults dealing with medical-conditions related to chronic diseases such as obesity.
- In line with the results of the Spanish study published in Obesity, a nutritious diet coupled with early meal timing could potentially play a significant role in preventing and mitigating chronic diseases like obesity, especially for those with a higher genetic risk.
