Why do phenotypes matter for weight loss?
Understanding the causes for your weight gain matters in uncovering how health care providers can best help you. Conventional weight-loss methods treat all patients the same way. However, most individuals do not see meaningful benefit from any one treatement.
Research from Phenomix Sciences founders explains the difference in weight loss treatment responses by identifying at obesity is not one disease but four different diseases, or obesity phenotypes. The data showed that when patients were treated according to their phenotype they lost nearly 2x as much weight compared to those who were not phenotyped. Identifying your phenotype facilitates a personalized approach to weight loss that is more effective.
Phenotyiping saves you time, money, and frustration in your weight-loss journey.
Understanding phenotype and genotype
Genotypes are a set of genes that contribute to the phenotype. Some traits are largely determined by the genotype.
Phenotypes are an individuals observable traits such as height, eye color, hair color, weight and blood type.
For example? People may describe someone's hair as brown. If you were born with brown hair, you have the genotype for brown hair. But if you dye your hair blonde, your hair phenotype changes to blonde without changing your hair genotype. The phenotype is the characteristic you can observe.
What is obesity phenotyping?
Phenotyping classifies your type of obesity based on specific biological mechanisms. Understanding which of the four phenotypes you have pinpoints what is driving your weight gain and limiting your ability to lose weight. Using weight-loss solutions specific to your phenotype and genetic makeup can double your weight loss compared to conventional methods.
Obesity phenotypes
There are many traits that characterize obesity. Current obesity classifications such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and body shape (apple versus pear, for example) were developed to determine the risk for cardiometabolic diseases and mortality risk. However, these classifications do not address the biological causes and mechanisms of obesity, which are unique to each individual.
The following obesity classification highlights the different phenotypes based on abnormal changes in body functions that drive weight gain.
