The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the general US population is estimated to be 22-34.5% with greater prevalence in certain populations (e.g. Mexican and African Americans, women). These numbers have been consistent with the rise of prevalence of obesity in the US population to 34.9%, which has remained stable over the last 10 years. Veterans are particularly predisposed to metabolic syndrome since the prevalence of obesity is much higher among their ranks. Since the annual medical cost of those who are obese or have metabolic syndrome is $1429 higher than those at a healthy weight, the impact on the cost of healthcare for Veterans can be potentially tremendous. This is mainly since obesity is strongly associated with many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer (endometrial, postmenopausal breast, kidney, and colon), musculoskeletal disorders, sleep apnea, and gallbladder disease.

In order to combat the obesity epidemic in Veterans, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs created the MOVE! Weight Management Program (MOVE!) in 2006. MOVE! is an evidence-based weight-management program designed for patients followed in primary care clinics and who have a BMI of ≥30kg/m2 or with a BMI of ≥25kg/m2 with 1 or more obesity-related conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia). The efficacy of the program is measured by the % of patients who losing at least 5% of body weight at 8 weeks and 6 months after first session. In addition, TeleMOVE! is a program recently initiated within the VA system to help individuals who cannot make it to the VA MOVE! program due to their work schedule or distance from VA clinic.

This observational study will investigate the potential clinical utility of the Pathway Fit® test by investigating whether patients who successfully lose weight (defined as losing at least 5% of body weight 8 weeks after initiation) in the MOVE! or TeleMOVE! programs have a distinct nutrigenetic profile over those that were unable to lose a significant amount of weight. We will use electronic records to identify all individuals who have successfully completed the MOVE! program (i.e. attended the full 8 week course) or TeleMOVE! program. In addition we will find age- and gender- matched individuals who attended and completed the MOVE! Or TeleMOVE! programs but did not lose weight. After completion of the MOVE! Or TeleMOVE! programs Veterans will submit a saliva sample for the Pathway Fit® test. The start and end weight of all participants will be recorded. The nutrigenic profiles of those with successful weight loss will be compared to those less successful to determine if this cohort has a particular genetic profile. Also, blood will be collected for storage for further studies on metabolomics.

To encourage participation, participants will be reimbursed for their participation in the study and the Pathway Fit® test results will be provided to all. Comparisons on all pertinent measures will be made between those achieving at least 5% weight loss and those that did not.

Upon completion of the study, the clinical utility of the Pathway Fit® test can be further investigated to determine if the successful nutrigenic profile can predict clinical outcomes of the participants in the MOVE! program or other lifestyle management programs.