A method to reduce the influence of predisposition to obesity has been found

Early eating can become a salvation for people with a genetic predisposition to being overweight. A large-scale study published in the authoritative journal Obesity revealed a surprising connection between meal timing and weight control in people with a hereditary tendency toward obesity. Scientists observed more than 1,100 overweight individuals over three years following a course of dietary treatment, analyzing their genetic data and eating patterns.

The results were astonishing: for people with a high genetic risk of obesity (determined by the polygenic index PRS-BMI), each hour of delay in the main meal led to an increase in body mass index of more than 2 kilograms per square meter. At the same time, study participants who ate closer to noon demonstrated much better results in maintaining their achieved weight after treatment. Interestingly, people with low genetic risk did not show a similar dependency.

Researchers particularly note that for carriers of the so-called "obesity gene," meal timing may play a decisive role in the fight against excess weight. Late lunches and dinners, especially after 3-4 PM, significantly reduce the chances of long-term success in controlling body weight for this category of people.

According to the study authors, a simple adjustment of meal timing can become an accessible and effective method for a personalized approach to the prevention and treatment of obesity. This method is especially valuable for those who have inherited a genetic predisposition to gaining excess weight.