title: Genetic Testing for Obesity: Implications and Challenges.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review summarizes the experimental literature on behavioral outcomes and psychological effects of genetic testing for obesity. Such tests, although of dubious value, are increasingly marketed to the public, and there has been concern that while results may encourage some consumers to increase the healthfulness of their lifestyles, others may interpret feedback in maladaptive ways.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hypothetical vignettes have been used in artificial settings; few studies have investigated outcomes of actual test results. At present, the effects of genetic testing for obesity seem limited to improving consumers' weight control intentions and motivation rather than actual dietary behavior. Evidence for negative psychological consequences is scarce and seems of greater concern for normal weight persons than for those who are overweight. Better research designs carried out in the field rather than the laboratory with more diverse samples are needed.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Health Care Decision-making, Inc., 706 East Hartwell Lane, Wyndmoor, PA, 19038, USA. msegal@healthcaredecisions.org.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Segal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000072001:Diet, Healthy / Q000523:psychology; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D050177:Overweight / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Behavior; Genetic testing; Obesity; Psychological effects