A group of scientist looking at data from a new study has them predicting within five years, physicians will be developing and designing diets for individuals based on their genetic make-up, according to an article on upi,com.

The researchers at the University of Texas say they believe to better understand the relationship between weight and genetics, better analytical tools will need to be designed and they expect that to happen during that time frame.

Molly Bray, a geneticist and professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Texas Austin, said in a press release they don’t expect to hear people say the news that a genetic diet can be prescribed for them would mean they would not have to exercise any more.  On the contrary, she says they actually will say “Thank You”, because now science is starting to realize that weight loss is more difficult for some than others.

She adds a person in that group will be more motivated to make the changes necessary to lose weight, and will be a little more forgiving of themselves when they understand the factors involved.

Recent studies have shown a relationship between weight gain or loss and some genes that can cause energy from food intake to be stored as fat instead of being burned as fuel for the body.  The trick is these same genes react differently from one individual to another, and evidence is mounting that doctors should be taking the patients’ genetic make up under consideration when recommending a diet plan.

For the new study, which was published in the journal Obesity, the researchers looked at many of the previous studies and analyzed the data involving genetic testing and research, and weight change research as well.

They found that while a number of genes had been identified as having a relationship with weight change, there is not a great understanding of how they are playing their individual parts in the process.

The team believes that collecting the data and using sensors to monitor the diet and activities of individuals, when combined with the research and the development of a computer algorithm for analysis, the plans for an individual weight assessment and management plan will be in place within the next five years.