# The MetaboHealth Score Enhances Insulin Resistance Metabotyping for Targeted Fat Loss: The PERSON Study

## TL;DR

A study found that combining a health score with insulin resistance types helps tailor diets for better fat loss in middle-aged and older adults.

## Contribution

The study introduces a new approach combining metabotypes and a health score to personalize diets for fat loss.

## Key findings

- Combining MetaboHealth with IR metabotypes improved fat loss outcomes in the healthiest group.
- No interaction was observed for cardiometabolic outcomes, but significant interactions were found for fat percentage and mass index.
- Both diets were equally effective in the poorest health group, but matched diets worked better in the healthiest group.

## Abstract

We previously identified distinct muscle and liver insulin resistance (IR) metabotypes in middle‐aged and older adults. The PERSON study showed that a low‐fat, high‐protein, high‐fiber diet benefits the muscle IR group, while a high‐monounsaturated fatty acid diet benefits the liver IR group. We also developed the MetaboHealth score, reflecting risks of mortality, frailty, and cognitive decline. This study aimed to examine whether MetaboHealth interacts with IR metabotypes to influence (i) cardiometabolic health and (ii) body composition outcomes in the PERSON study, informing precision nutrition strategies.

In total, 242 adults aged 40–75 with IR were randomized to follow an isocaloric low‐fat, high‐protein, high‐fiber or high‐monounsaturated fatty acid diet for 12 weeks. Of these, 184 with complete data were grouped into MetaboHealth tertiles (higher = poorer health). Outcomes included a 7‐point oral glucose tolerance test and DXA‐based body composition. Linear mixed models assessed four‐way interactions.

No interaction was observed for cardiometabolic outcomes. Significant interactions were found for android, gynoid, total fat percentage, and fat mass index. In the healthiest tertile, matched diets led to greater fat loss. In the poorest tertile, both diets were similarly effective. MetaboHealth remained unchanged.

Combining metabotype with MetaboHealth may enhance personalized dietary strategies for fat loss in insulin‐resistant adults.