Genetics significantly influences weight loss, not diet

A study from the University of Virginia has found that genetics play a crucial role in weight loss, more than diet itself. Researchers, including Dr. Susanna Keller and dietitian Sibylle Kranz, conducted a five-year study using mice to explore how different diets affect weight and metabolism. The mice were fed various diets that mimicked vegan, vegetarian, Mediterranean, and standard American eating habits. All diets had the same calories and nutrients. Despite this, the results differed significantly among the mouse strains. Some gained weight on all diets, while others did not gain any weight at all. The American diet led to the most weight gain in one strain of mice. The study showed that genetics significantly influence how animals respond to diets. Dr. Keller emphasized that an individual's genetic background affects body weight gain and other health markers much more than diet does. Prof. Kranz noted that diets may need to be tailored to each person's genetic makeup for better results. The researchers believe that a genetic analysis could help determine the best diet for each person. They warned against using weight alone as a measure of health, as some people classified as overweight can still be metabolically healthy.