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Szczuka, Z.* ; Krzywicka, P.* ; Kornafel, A.* ; Misiakowska, J.* ; Zaleskiewicz, H.* ; Kafyra, M.* ; Kalafati, I.* ; Dedoussis, G.* ; Luszczynska, A.* ; BETTER4U project consortium (Thiering, E.) ; BETTER4U project consortium (Standl, M.)

Are there any effective behavior change strategies for communicating genetic risk in obesity prevention and body weight reduction interventions?

Obes. Rev., DOI: 10.1111/obr.70132 (2026)
DOI
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.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Review
Keywords Behavior Change Techniques ; Genetic Risk Communication ; Intervention ; Obesity ; Overweight
ISSN (print) / ISBN 1467-7881
e-ISSN 1467-789X
Journal Obesity Reviews
Publisher Wiley
Publishing Place Oxford
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Institute of Epidemiology (EPI)