Weight loss is not a one-size-fits-all journey, with success often shaped by individual habits, behaviors, and relationships with food. A new study from St. George’s, University of London, suggests that categorizing people into specific “eating profiles” could help individuals stick to weight-loss programs and achieve lasting results.
The research centered on an online quiz developed by the university, which guided participants through 17 questions about emotional eating, dieting patterns, and exercise habits. Based on responses, participants were assigned to one of four eating profiles—or phenotypes—named Purple Lavender, Red Chili, Yellow Saffron, and Green Sage.
Each profile came with personalized guidance, including strategies for maintaining long-term lifestyle changes, improving dietary choices, setting realistic goals, and incorporating more physical activity.
Participants were then enrolled in a 12-week digital weight-loss program, receiving seven weeks of tailored advice aligned with their eating profile. Researchers found that individuals who identified with a profile demonstrated significantly higher engagement in the program compared to those who did not. They were more consistent in logging meals, communicating with health coaches, and adhering to weight-loss strategies.
“Phenotype-tailored weekly advice was associated with substantially higher engagement in a real-world digital program, although short-term weight differences were not statistically significant,” the authors noted in the study, published in JMIR Formative Research.
While the study relied on self-reported data, was not randomized, and tracked participants for only a short period, researchers believe that tailoring weight-loss programs to eating behaviors and personality traits may improve adherence and long-term outcomes. They recommend larger, randomized trials with longer follow-ups to determine whether increased engagement translates into clinically meaningful weight loss.
Understanding the Eating Profiles
- Red Chili: High maladaptive and hedonic eating, low self-regulation, and high psychological avoidance. Members may use food to cope with emotions, feel guilt over eating habits, and struggle with restrictive diets.
- Yellow Saffron: High hedonic eating and reward reactivity but low maladaptive eating. Individuals tend to choose foods based on taste rather than health and are prone to high-calorie cravings.
- Purple Lavender: Low self-regulation and high psychological avoidance, but low maladaptive and hedonic eating. Members may start diet or exercise goals enthusiastically but lose motivation when challenges arise.
- Green Sage: Low maladaptive and hedonic eating with high self-regulation. These individuals often need guidance and motivation to follow through on health goals, including diet and exercise recommendations.
Registered dietitian-nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein praised the approach for addressing the emotional and behavioral aspects of weight loss. “It really hits on the struggles people face most when trying to lose weight,” she said. “The quiz provides mindset shifts and practical steps, which explains why it boosts motivation and adherence early on.”
Certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco added that acknowledging personal habits and behaviors is crucial for long-term success. “Health is highly individualized. Generic diets rarely result in meaningful change unless behavior, personality, and habits are considered,” she said.
The findings highlight a growing trend in digital health: personalized programs that adapt to how people eat and behave may offer a more effective path to sustainable weight loss.
