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Extensive research involving Estonian scientists suggests that the benefits of bariatric surgery are partially determined by genes. The discovery could help make weight-loss treatment more effective in the future.
It is well known that a large proportion of people, up to two thirds according to some estimates, want to lose weight. By changing their behaviour, they manage to lose an average of 5% of their body weight. In addition to a behavioural approach, weight loss tools are also available to help you lose weight more effectively. These include, for example, semaglutides such as Ozempic. Such medicines work better for some people than others.
Professor of Behavioural Genetics at the University of Tartu, Uku Vainik, together with researchers from several other countries, investigated whether the effectiveness of semaglutides and bariatric surgery can be predicted by genetics. The study was carried out on the basis of data from more than ten thousand people living around the world.
“Broadly speaking, we found that even 10,000 people were too few to find semaglutide effects,” the professor noted. “We tried both single genetic markers and polygenic scores, but found nothing for semaglutide.”
In contrast, researchers found a link in bariatric surgery, which helps people lose more weight at a time. The results vary from person to person. In particular, the surgery tends to be less helpful for people with a genetic predisposition to obesity. This means that they need more attention after surgery to make sure the weight doesn’t come back quickly.
Vainik stressed that surgery is not a magic wand and must be followed by a lifestyle change, especially in diet. People definitely need support to avoid relapse. Especially those with a high genetic potential for obesity.
“It would be worthwhile for people to have this kind of screening for weight loss difficulties, for example with a genetic test or some questionnaire in the future,” Vainik said. “You can see who needs more attention, more hand-holding during the procedure. All in all, the aim of the project is to make the process as efficient as possible for people who are taking the weight loss journey.”
However, if bariatric surgery really does not help, people can switch to medication instead. Vainik stated that although you have to take medication all the time, if you do it consistently, the relapse is slower.
Author: Rait Piir. This article was originally published on the the Estonian Public Broadcasting online news portal.
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