8 Dec 2025 • Adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors sharply mitigated obesity risk in Indians with high genetic susceptibility, according to new data from 6,754 adults.

Those with both elevated polygenic risk and poor lifestyle choices faced three- to twenty-four-fold greater odds of obesity (OR 3.01–24.5). In contrast, high-risk individuals who exercised regularly, avoided smoking, and maintained balanced diets saw substantially lower odds (OR 2.13–3.01). Obese adults had significantly higher polygenic risk scores than non-obese peers.

The findings underscore lifestyle as a potent modifiable factor, supporting personalized counseling and targeted prevention amid rising obesity rates in India.

Source: Nature | Read Full Story