Have we finally reached the future of weight loss? According to a report from UPI, researchers at the University of Texas in Austin have made a massive breakthrough in their understanding of the relationship between DNA, behavior, and diseases related to excessive weight.

It may take a few more years before the study’s findings can actually come to fruition, but the findings could very well lead to customized diet plans based on a patient’s genes. Some genes make it extremely difficult for people to lose weight, and not all diets work the same for everyone. By breaking down the genetic makeup of a patient, doctors could be able to pinpoint the exact reason a person is having trouble losing weight.

The study was published in the journal Obesity. Researchers analyzed genetic assessments, research on the human genome, and reviewed literature surrounding recent studies about weight loss and gain to explore the genetic influence on keeping off extra pounds.

According to Molly Bray, a UT geneticist and professor of nutritional sciences, “When people hear that genes may be playing a role in their weight loss success, they don’t say, ‘Oh great, I just won’t exercise anymore.’ They actually say ‘Oh thank you. Finally someone acknowledges that it’s harder work for me than it is for others.’ And then I think they’re a little more forgiving of themselves, and they’re more motivated to make a change.”

By better understanding the effects of genetics on a person’s ability to lose weight, we have come one step closer to the development of precision weight loss plans that could dramatically improve public health moving forward. Bray believes that within five years, people will begin using a combination of genetic, behavioral, and other data to determine the best possible way for them to lose weight.

A press release from the University of Texas in Austin describing the details of the study can be found here.