Are There Any Effective Behavior Change Strategies for Communicating Genetic Risk in Obesity Prevention and Body Weight Reduction Interventions?
Are There Any Effective Behavior Change Strategies for Communicating Genetic Risk in Obesity Prevention and Body Weight Reduction Interventions?
StatusPost-Print
Alternative title
Authors
Szczuka, Zofia
Krzywicka, Paulina
Kornafel, Anna
Misiakowska, Jowita
Zaleśkiewicz, Hanna
Kafyra, Maria
Panagiota Kalafa, Ioanna
Dedoussis, George
Łuszczyńska, Aleksandra
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Obesity Reviews
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1-14
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1467-7881
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Abstract PL
Abstract EN
This systematic review examined how differences in intervention components may contribute to inconsistent findings in genetic risk communication studies, addressing obesity-related outcomes (e.g., weight reduction, nutrition behavior, exercise). The review was preregistered (PROSPERO #CRD42024524026) and followed PRISMA guidelines. Searches across eight databases identified 23 randomized controlled trials, covering 18 intervention trials. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool. A narrative synthesis was used to cluster studies by the content of intervention and control groups. Genetic risk communication alone (no behavioral counseling, addressing nutrition and exercise) or combined with phenotype-based risk was ineffective and sometimes counterproductive among low-risk individuals. When combined with personalized behavioral counseling, effectiveness improved, but only when compared to waitlist control groups or non-personalized behavioral counseling. Significant effects emerged in high–genetic risk subgroups within personalized behavioral counseling, using behavior change techniques such as problem-solving, feedback on behavior, self-monitoring, and environmental changes. The most promising results emerged from complex interventions integrating genetic risk communication into multiple sessions and combining numerous additional behavioral change techniques, such as social reward, cues/prompts, self-reward. Complex personalized interventions combining multiple behavior change techniques and prompting experiential genetic risk awareness show promise for improving weight, nutrition, and exercise-related outcomes.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Genetic risk communication
intervention
obesity
overweight
behavior change techniques
intervention
obesity
overweight
behavior change techniques
Keywords other
Sustainable Development Goals
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the BETTER4U project
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7Acquisition Date1.05.2026
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