Our research aims to understand the link between excess fat and various health complications in a way that is personal to each individual. Imagine if we could tailor weight management plans based on your unique body composition and genetic makeup. That’s precisely what we aim to achieve with precision medicine.
Aims: We want to move beyond generic measures like BMI and explore specific patterns of fat distribution using advanced imaging techniques. By doing this, we hope to identify different “types” of excess fat, each with its distinct genetic and metabolic features. This way, we can better predict who might be at a higher risk of developing health complications related to excess fat and how they might respond to different treatments, including bariatric surgery.
Scientific Rationale: Current methods often use BMI, a one-size-fits-all approach that does not consider individual differences. Our approach involves cutting-edge technology like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to precisely measure different types of body fat. We believe that understanding these details will help us provide more personalised and effective strategies for preventing and managing health complications related to excess fat.
Project Duration: This research will span several stages over approximately three years. We will analyse data, identify genetic factors linked to different body fat patterns, understand how these patterns relate to metabolism, and finally, assess their impact on the risk of various health complications related to excess fat and the outcomes of weight loss interventions.
Public Health Impact: The global rise in obesity is closely tied to the increasing rates of various health complications related to excess fat. Our research aims to make a significant impact on how we approach this health challenge. By developing personalised approaches to weight management, we hope to improve the accuracy of predicting who might develop health complications related to excess fat and how well they might respond to different treatments. This could mean more targeted and effective interventions, potentially reducing the burden of these diseases on individuals and society.
Our goal is to contribute to a more personalised approach to obesity care – one that takes into account your unique body characteristics and genetic factors, providing you with the most effective and personalised strategies for a healthier future.