Suitable products for: Losing weight

Why take a DNA test when losing weight?

A DNA test for weight loss helps you understand how your body really works—instead of continuing to experiment with random diets. A DNA metabolism test analyzes specific gene variants that influence fat burning, carbohydrate utilization, appetite regulation, insulin sensitivity, and training response. This helps you find out whether you are more of a “carbohydrate type” or a “fat burner,” how your body responds to protein, and which diet is best suited to you in the long term.

At mybody®, for example, the DNA metabolism tests, such as the Fitness | VITALITY DNA Test, show how your body responds to exercise, physical strain, and nutrition—including personalized nutrition and exercise recommendations for fat loss. Instead of “one-size-fits-all” diets, you receive an individual plan based on your genetics. This saves frustration and time and increases the likelihood that you will reach your desired weight sustainably—without constantly gaining and losing weight.

Possible causes of overweight

Overweight is rarely caused by a single factor—it is usually a combination of lifestyle, nutrition, physical activity, hormones, mental health, and genetics. Common causes include:

• A calorie- and sugar-rich diet containing many highly processed foods
  
• Lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle
  
• Stress, lack of sleep, and hormonal imbalances (e.g., cortisol and thyroid function)
  
• Medication use (e.g., certain antidepressants and cortisone)
  
• An unfavorable environment (“obesogenic environment”—constant availability of snacks and little everyday movement)
  
• Genetic predisposition: Studies show that variants in genes including FTO and MC4R may increase the risk of higher body weight and fat storage.
  

The World Health Organization defines overweight as excess body fat, usually indicated by a BMI above 25, and obesity as a BMI ≥ 30—with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other associated conditions. A DNA-based approach helps you better assess these causes and target the factors that are particularly important for you.

Recognizing overweight and understanding BMI

To identify overweight, the Body Mass Index (BMI) is often used. It is calculated as weight (kg) / height² (m²). For adults, many guidelines use the following reference ranges:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
  
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5–24.9
  
• Overweight: BMI 25–29.9
  
• Obesity (grade I–III): BMI ≥ 30
  

Important: BMI is a screening value, not a perfect measurement. It does not distinguish between fat and muscle mass and says nothing about the distribution of body fat (abdominal fat, for example, carries a significantly higher risk). It is therefore increasingly recommended to also consider waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and metabolic markers (blood sugar, blood lipids, and blood pressure).

In everyday life, this means that BMI gives you a first indication of whether your weight is within a healthy range. Combined with a metabolism or blood test from mybody®, you receive a more complete picture: How active is your metabolism, what are your blood lipid levels, and how does your body respond to certain nutrients?

Test your metabolism for weight loss—easily from home

If you want to test your metabolism for weight loss, you can now do so conveniently from home. mybody® offers various DNA metabolism tests and blood tests that show you how your body processes energy:

• DNA analyses for fat burning, carbohydrate tolerance, appetite regulation, and training type mybody®x
  
• Blood tests for nutrients, hormones, blood sugar, and lipids that influence your metabolism
  

Samples are usually collected using saliva (DNA) or capillary blood from the fingertip. Your sample is analyzed in an ISO-certified laboratory, and you receive the results in an easy-to-understand online report with personalized recommendations for nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle. mybody®x

This helps you find out whether, for example, low-carb, high-protein, or a balanced mixed diet suits you best, which types of exercise can optimally boost your fat burning, and where potential blockages in your metabolism may lie. This makes weight loss more predictable—instead of relying purely on trial and error.

How does overweight develop?

Overweight develops when more energy is consumed than expended over an extended period—but the mechanism is more complex than “eating too much and exercising too little.” Modern research shows that overweight results from an interaction between genes, hormones, the microbiome, mental health, the environment, and behavior.

Some key mechanisms include:

• Excess energy: A calorie-rich, nutrient-poor diet (e.g., sugary drinks and fast food)
  
• Hormonal regulation: Disruptions in insulin, leptin, and ghrelin signaling (hunger and satiety)
  
• Genetics: Variants in genes such as FTO and MC4R increase the likelihood of storing more fat, gaining weight more easily, or experiencing greater appetite.
  
• Gut flora: An unfavorable microbiome can increase energy absorption from food and promote inflammation
  
• Psychological factors: Emotional eating, stress eating, and lack of sleep
  

A DNA- and metabolism-based approach—such as the mybody® DNA tests for metabolism & weight—helps you better understand these mechanisms on a personal level and target them specifically, rather than viewing overweight merely as a “matter of willpower.” mybody®x

Why does my DNA affect my weight?

Your DNA affects your weight because your genes determine how your body responds to food, exercise, and the environment. Studies show that genetic variants, for example in FTO and MC4R, are associated with a higher BMI, a stronger feeling of hunger, and altered energy expenditure.

A DNA test can provide information about, among other things:

• A tendency toward fat versus carbohydrate burning
  
• A tendency toward increased appetite or snacking
  
• Insulin and blood sugar response
  
• Recommended training intensity (e.g., strength versus endurance)
  
• Susceptibility to the yo-yo effect
  

At mybody®, precisely these types of markers are analyzed as part of the DNA metabolism tests to show you which nutrition and exercise strategies best suit your genetic makeup. mybody®x

Important: Your genes determine tendencies, not your destiny. They explain why some diets are more difficult for you or why others seem to lose weight “more easily.” With the knowledge gained from a DNA test, you can finally use these genetic factors to your advantage and create a weight-loss plan that truly suits your body.