Gram Research analysis shows that a new trial called BETTER4All is testing whether artificial intelligence combined with genetic information can help people lose weight better than standard diets. The study will follow 1,022 adults across seven European countries, with one group receiving AI-powered personalized recommendations based on their genes and lifestyle data tracked through smartphone apps and wearable devices, while another group receives standard diet advice. Results from this randomized controlled trial will show whether personalized, genetically informed weight-loss plans produce greater BMI reductions at 6 months and better weight maintenance at 1 year compared to one-size-fits-all approaches.
A major new study is testing whether artificial intelligence combined with genetic information can help people lose weight more effectively than traditional diets. The BETTER4All trial, running across seven European countries, will follow over 1,000 adults using AI-powered smartphone apps, wearable devices, and personalized recommendations based on their genes and lifestyle data. Instead of giving everyone the same diet advice, this approach tailors recommendations to each person’s unique biology and habits. Researchers will track whether this personalized method helps people lose more weight and keep it off longer than standard weight-loss programs.
Key Statistics
The BETTER4All randomized controlled trial, enrolling 1,022 adults across seven European countries, will test whether AI-driven personalized recommendations based on genetic risk scores and real-time behavioral monitoring reduce BMI more effectively than standard diet advice at 6 months.
According to research reviewed by Gram, genetic factors account for 40 to 70 percent of obesity risk, yet traditional weight-loss programs ignore individual genetic differences, which the BETTER4All trial aims to address through personalized AI recommendations.
The BETTER4All trial measures not only weight loss but also changes in gut bacteria composition, metabolic markers, physical activity levels, and psychological well-being, providing a comprehensive evaluation of how personalized AI-based interventions affect overall health beyond BMI reduction.
The BETTER4All study incorporates process evaluation metrics including user adherence to digital tools, acceptability of the smartphone app and wearable device, and feasibility of scaling the intervention to larger populations, addressing real-world implementation challenges.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether personalized weight-loss plans based on AI technology and genetic information work better than standard one-size-fits-all diet advice.
- Who participated: 1,022 adults across seven European countries who are overweight or have obesity (BMI of 25 or higher). Half will receive personalized AI-based recommendations, and half will receive standard diet and lifestyle advice.
- Key finding: This is a protocol paper describing the study design, not yet showing results. The trial will measure whether AI-personalized recommendations reduce BMI more effectively at 6 months and maintain weight loss at 1 year compared to standard advice.
- What it means for you: If successful, this research could lead to weight-loss programs customized to your genes and lifestyle rather than generic diet plans. However, results won’t be available until the study is complete, likely in 2027 or 2028.
The Research Details
The BETTER4All trial is a randomized controlled trial, which is the gold standard for testing whether a treatment works. Researchers will randomly assign 1,022 adults into two groups: one receiving AI-powered personalized recommendations and one receiving standard diet advice. The personalized group will use a smartphone app connected to wearable devices (like fitness trackers) that monitor their activity, sleep, and other health data. They’ll also receive counseling tailored to their genetic risk factors for obesity and their individual lifestyle patterns. The standard group will receive traditional hypocaloric diet advice (eating fewer calories) and general lifestyle recommendations. Both groups will be followed for one year to see how much weight they lose and whether they keep it off. The study takes place across seven European countries, making it a multicentre trial that can test whether the approach works in different populations and healthcare systems.
Traditional weight-loss programs treat everyone the same way, but people’s bodies respond differently to diet and exercise based on their genetics, metabolism, and lifestyle. By using AI to analyze genetic risk scores (which predict obesity risk based on DNA) combined with real-time behavioral data from wearables and apps, researchers can create truly personalized plans. This approach accounts for individual differences that standard programs ignore, potentially leading to better results and longer-lasting weight loss. Testing this in a rigorous randomized trial across multiple countries provides strong evidence about whether personalization actually works in real-world settings.
This is a high-quality study design because it uses randomization (reducing bias), includes a control group for comparison, and involves multiple centers across different countries (improving generalizability). The study protocol has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06997510), which means the researchers committed to their methods before starting. The trial measures multiple outcomes beyond just weight loss, including gut bacteria changes, metabolic markers, and psychological well-being, providing a comprehensive picture of health. However, this paper only describes the study plan, not the results, so we cannot yet know whether the approach actually works.
What the Results Show
This paper is a protocol paper, meaning it describes the study design and methods before results are collected. The primary outcome being measured is change in BMI (body mass index) at 6 months. The researchers will compare how much the AI-personalized group’s BMI changes compared to the standard advice group’s BMI changes. Secondary outcomes include whether people maintain their weight loss at 1 year, changes in gut bacteria composition, metabolic markers in the blood, lifestyle behaviors (like physical activity and diet quality), and psychological measures like quality of life and motivation. The study also evaluates whether the digital tools are acceptable to users, whether people actually use them as intended (adherence), and whether the intervention can be scaled up to larger populations.
Beyond weight loss, the trial will examine changes in the gut microbiota (bacteria living in the digestive system) and metabolomic biomarkers (chemical signatures in the blood that indicate metabolic health). These measurements can reveal whether weight loss is accompanied by improvements in metabolic function and digestive health. The study also measures lifestyle behaviors like physical activity levels, diet quality, and sleep patterns tracked through wearable devices. Psychosocial outcomes include quality of life, motivation, and satisfaction with the intervention. Process evaluation measures how well the intervention was delivered as intended (fidelity), whether participants found it acceptable and feasible to use, and how well they adhered to the recommendations.
Traditional weight-loss interventions typically achieve modest results because they apply the same advice to everyone despite individual differences in genetics, metabolism, and lifestyle. Previous research shows that genetic factors account for 40 to 70 percent of obesity risk, yet most programs ignore this. Recent advances in AI and polygenic risk scores (genetic tests that predict obesity risk) now make personalization possible. This trial represents a significant step forward by combining genetic information, real-time behavioral monitoring through wearables, and AI-powered recommendations in a rigorous clinical trial. Most previous personalization studies were small or lacked control groups, so this large multicentre trial will provide stronger evidence about whether personalization truly improves outcomes.
This protocol paper does not yet report results, so we cannot know whether the approach actually works. The study focuses on European populations, so results may not apply equally to other ethnic groups or geographic regions. Participants must have access to smartphones and be willing to use wearable devices, which may exclude older adults or those with limited technology access. The trial measures outcomes at 6 months and 1 year, but long-term effects beyond 1 year are unknown. The cost and complexity of AI-personalized interventions may limit their availability in real-world healthcare settings, even if they prove effective in this controlled trial.
The Bottom Line
This is a protocol paper describing a study that is currently underway, so no clinical recommendations can be made yet. Once results are published (expected in 2027 or 2028), personalized AI-based weight-loss programs may become a recommended option for people struggling with obesity, particularly those with genetic risk factors. Until then, current evidence supports traditional approaches: eating fewer calories, increasing physical activity, and working with healthcare providers or registered dietitians. If you have access to this trial through participating centers in Europe, enrollment may be an option to explore with your doctor.
This research is relevant to anyone struggling with weight loss, particularly those who have tried standard diets without success. It’s especially relevant to people with a family history of obesity, as genetic factors play a major role. Healthcare providers, public health officials, and digital health companies should pay attention to whether this approach can be scaled up effectively. People interested in precision medicine (treatments tailored to individual biology) will find this trial important. However, until results are available, this remains a research study rather than a proven clinical tool.
The BETTER4All trial is currently enrolling participants and collecting data. Primary results (6-month BMI changes) should be available in 2027, with 1-year follow-up data in 2028. Even after publication, it may take 2 to 5 additional years for personalized AI-based weight-loss programs to become widely available through healthcare systems. If you were to participate in this trial, you would need to commit to 1 year of follow-up visits and regular use of the smartphone app and wearable device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can artificial intelligence and genetic testing help me lose weight better than a regular diet?
The BETTER4All trial is currently testing this question with 1,022 adults across Europe. AI-personalized recommendations based on your genetic risk factors and real-time activity data may work better than standard diets, but results won’t be available until 2027 or 2028. Until then, traditional approaches like eating fewer calories and exercising remain evidence-based.
How does personalized weight loss based on genetics work differently from standard diets?
Genetic factors influence how your body responds to diet and exercise. Personalized approaches use genetic risk scores and AI to tailor recommendations to your individual biology, metabolism, and lifestyle patterns tracked through wearables. Standard diets give everyone the same advice regardless of genetic differences, which may explain why they produce modest results.
What is a polygenic risk score and why does it matter for weight loss?
A polygenic risk score is a genetic test that predicts your obesity risk based on DNA variations. It matters because genetics account for 40 to 70 percent of obesity risk. The BETTER4All trial uses these scores to identify which people are genetically predisposed to obesity and tailor interventions accordingly, rather than treating everyone the same way.
When will personalized AI weight-loss programs be available to the general public?
The BETTER4All trial results should be published in 2027 or 2028. Even after publication, it typically takes 2 to 5 additional years for new approaches to become widely available through healthcare systems. For now, these personalized programs remain research tools rather than standard clinical options.
Do I need a wearable device and smartphone app to lose weight successfully?
No. Traditional approaches like eating fewer calories, increasing physical activity, and working with a healthcare provider remain effective. Wearable devices and apps can enhance tracking and motivation, but they’re not required for weight loss. The BETTER4All trial uses them to gather detailed data for personalization, not because they’re essential for everyone.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your daily weight, physical activity minutes, dietary intake, and sleep hours through a connected app and wearable device. Compare weekly averages to identify patterns in which behaviors correlate with weight changes. This mirrors the real-time monitoring approach the BETTER4All trial uses to personalize recommendations.
- Start by identifying your top three weight-loss barriers (e.g., late-night snacking, sedentary work, stress eating). Use the app to log these behaviors for one week to establish a baseline. Then implement one small change at a time, such as a 10-minute evening walk or replacing one sugary drink daily. Track how each change affects your weight and energy levels over 2 to 4 weeks before adding another change.
- Establish a weekly weigh-in routine on the same day and time, recording the result in your app. Track at least three lifestyle metrics: daily step count, minutes of intentional exercise, and servings of vegetables consumed. Review your data monthly to identify trends and adjust your approach if progress plateaus for more than 3 to 4 weeks. Share this data with your healthcare provider to inform personalized recommendations.
This article describes a clinical trial protocol currently underway. No clinical results are yet available. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Before starting any weight-loss program or using genetic testing for health decisions, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. The BETTER4All trial is recruiting participants in seven European countries through specific research centers. If you are interested in participating, speak with your doctor about whether you meet eligibility criteria and have access to a participating site.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.