- Scientists have developed a new DNA-based tool capable of predicting a child's risk of developing obesity in adulthood.
- The test, which analyses DNA from a blood sample, is thought to be twice as effective as previous methods and can identify risk before the age of five, allowing for targeted preventative strategies.
- Published in Nature Medicine, the scientists’ research involved a vast genetic dataset of over five million people and can also predict how obese adults will respond to weight loss programmes.
- The World Obesity Federation forecasts that over half the global population will be overweight or obese by 2035.
- Despite its advancements, the new tool has limitations, such as being more accurate for people of European ancestry compared to those of African ancestry.
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