The efficacy of genotype-based dietary or physical activity advice in changing behavior to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes mellitus or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Context Despite clear evidence that adherence to dietary and physical activity advice can reduce the risk of cardiometabolic disease, a significant proportion of the population do not follow recommendations. Personalized advice based on genetic variation has been proposed for motivating behavior change, although research on its benefits to date has been contradictory. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of genotype-based dietary or physical activity advice in changing behavior in the general population and in individuals who are at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Data Sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched up to January 7, 2022. Randomized controlled trials of a genotype-based dietary and/or physical activity advice intervention that aimed to change dietary and/or physical activity behavior were included. Data Extraction Abstracts of 7899 records were screened, and 14 reports from 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data Analysis Genotype-based dietary or physical activity advice was found to have no effect on dietary behavior in any of the studies (standardized mean difference [SMD] .00 [-.11 to .11], P = .98), even when analyzed by subgroup: at risk (SMD .00 [-.16 to .16, P = .99]; general population (SMD .01 [-.14 to .16], P = .87). The physical activity behavior findings were similar for all studies (SMD -.01 [-.10 to .08], P = .88), even when analyzed by subgroup: at risk (SMD .07 [-.18 to .31], P = .59); general population (SMD -.02 [-.13 to .10], P = .77). The quality of the evidence for the dietary behavior outcome was low; for the physical activity behavior outcome it was moderate. Conclusions Genotype-based advice does not affect dietary or physical activity behavior more than general advice or advice based on lifestyle or phenotypic measures. This was consistent in studies that recruited participants from the general population as well as in studies that had recruited participants from populations at risk of CVD or T2DM. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021231147.

Automated summary

Genotype-based dietary and physical activity advice does not have an impact on behavior change, both in the general population and in individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease or type II diabetes mellitus.