This review found no clear or consistent evidence that genetic risk communication alone either raises motivation or translates into actual change in dietary intake or physical activity to reduce the risk of cardiometabolic disorders in adults .
Genetic risk prediction of chronic conditions including obesity , diabetes and CVD currently has limited predictive power but its potential to engage healthy behaviour change has been of immense research interest .
We aim ed to underst and whether the latter is indeed true by conducting a systematic review and meta- analysis investigating whether genetic risk communication affects motivation and actual behaviour change towards preventative lifestyle modification .
Information and Risk Modification Trial (INFORM): design of a randomised controlled trial of communicating different types of information about coronary heart disease risk, alongside lifestyle advice, to achieve change in health-related behaviour
Background Cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) remains the leading cause of death globally . Primary prevention of CVD requires cost-effective strategies to identify individuals at high risk in order to help target preventive interventions . An integral part of this approach is the use of CVD risk scores . Limitations in previous studies have prevented reliable inference about the potential advantages and the potential harms of using CVD risk scores as part of preventive strategies . We aim to evaluate short-term effects of providing different types of information about coronary heart disease ( CHD ) risk , alongside lifestyle advice , on health-related behaviours . Methods / Design In a parallel-group , open r and omised trial , we are allocating 932 male and female blood donors with no previous history of CVD aged 40–84 years in Engl and to either no intervention ( control group ) or to one of three active intervention groups : i ) lifestyle advice only ; ii ) lifestyle advice plus information on estimated 10-year CHD risk based on phenotypic characteristics ; and iii ) lifestyle advice plus information on estimated 10-year CHD risk based on phenotypic and genetic characteristics . The primary outcome is change in objective ly measured physical activity . Secondary outcomes include : objective ly measured dietary behaviours ; cardiovascular risk factors ; current medication and healthcare usage ; perceived risk ; cognitive evaluation of provision of CHD risk scores ; and psychological outcomes . The follow-up assessment takes place 12 weeks after r and omisation . The experiences , attitudes and concerns of a subset of participants will be also studied using individual interviews and focus groups . Discussion The INFORM study has been design ed to provide robust findings about the short-term effects of providing different types of information on estimated 10-year CHD risk and lifestyle advice on health-related behaviours . Trial registration Current Controlled Trials IS RCT N17721237 . Registered 12 January 2015
This review found no clear or consistent evidence that genetic risk communication alone either raises motivation or translates into actual change in dietary intake or physical activity to reduce the risk of cardiometabolic disorders in adults .
Genetic risk prediction of chronic conditions including obesity , diabetes and CVD currently has limited predictive power but its potential to engage healthy behaviour change has been of immense research interest .
We aim ed to underst and whether the latter is indeed true by conducting a systematic review and meta- analysis investigating whether genetic risk communication affects motivation and actual behaviour change towards preventative lifestyle modification .