Personalized Eating Profiles Show Promise for Weight Loss Success, Study Finds

A new study from City St. George’s, University of London reveals that categorizing individuals into specific “eating profiles” may significantly improve weight loss outcomes by tailoring approaches to personal habits and food relationships.

The research, published in JMIR Formative Research, utilized an online questionnaire to assess participants’ behavioral patterns related to emotional eating, dieting habits, and exercise routines. Based on their responses to 17 questions, individuals were sorted into four distinct profiles, each named after a color and herb: Purple Lavender, Red Chili, Yellow Saffron, and Green Sage.

Participants enrolled in a 12-week digital weight-loss program received seven weeks of advice customized to their eating profile. The results were promising – those who identified with a specific profile demonstrated “significant” engagement compared to those who didn’t. They recorded more meals, communicated more frequently with health coaches, and lost more weight on average.

“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 researchers noted in their findings.

Each profile represents distinct behavioral patterns. The “Red Chili” group struggles with controlling their eating habits, often using food to cope with negative emotions and cycling between restrictive diets and overeating. “Yellow Saffron” individuals find it difficult to resist overeating, prioritize taste over nutritional value, and frequently crave high-calorie, high-fat, and sugary foods.

Those in the “Purple Lavender” category tend to set goals but abandon them when obstacles arise, losing enthusiasm after initial progress. Meanwhile, “Green Sage” individuals often need clear guidance for positive lifestyle changes and may procrastinate when lacking motivation, despite generally making healthier choices.

Nutrition experts have praised the study’s approach. Los Angeles-based registered dietitian-nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein called the quiz “really intuitive,” noting that “it really hits on the emotional and behavioral side of weight loss that people struggle with the most.”

“It did an amazing job once it identified your eating type, giving you mindset shifts and descriptors on what to work on,” Muhlstein added. “It’s no surprise to me that it made a significant difference in the motivation and adherence to the weight-loss plan early on.”

However, Muhlstein pointed out that the lack of significant weight difference at the seven-week mark suggests researchers “have to work on better follow-up measures” for long-term consistency.

Certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco from New York emphasized the importance of personalization in health approaches. “Health is an individualized topic. There is no general way of eating that suits each person, because behavior and personality play such a role,” she explained.

“Following a generic diet of what to eat and what to avoid doesn’t result in any sort of meaningful change unless personality types, behaviors and habits are addressed,” DeCicco added.

The researchers acknowledged limitations in their study, including its non-randomized design, short follow-up period, and reliance on self-reported weight measurements. They recommend larger, randomized trials with longer follow-ups to determine whether increased engagement translates into meaningful, sustainable weight loss over time.

This research represents a promising shift in weight management approaches, moving away from one-size-fits-all diets toward personalized strategies that account for individual psychological factors and behavioral patterns. By recognizing that weight loss success depends heavily on addressing personal eating habits, emotional triggers, and behavioral tendencies, the researchers hope to improve long-term outcomes for those seeking sustainable lifestyle changes.