Are There Any Effective Behavior Change Strategies for Communicating Genetic Risk in Obesity Prevention and Body Weight Reduction Interventions?

Szczuka, Zofia;Krzywicka, Paulina;Kornafel, Anna;Misiakowska, Jowita;Zaleskiewicz, Hanna;Kafyra, Maria;Kalafati, Ioanna ;Panagiota;Dedoussis, George;Luszczynska Aleksandra;vassilios Fanos

2026-01-01

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Abstract

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.