Urine test can predict obesity risk

A new urine test could help predict the likelihood of obesity, according to a new study from researchers at the Imperial College of London. For the study the researchers collected urine samples from 2,000 participants in the U.S. and the U.K., focusing specifically on metabolites in the urine.

They found that there are at least 29 different metabolites detectable in the urine that correlate with body mass indexes rating from overweight to obese.

"Obesity has become a huge problem all over the world, threatening to overwhelm health services and drive life expectancy gains into reverse. Tackling it is an urgent priority and it requires us to have a much better understanding of how body fat and other aspects of biology are related. These findings provide possible starting points for new approaches to preventing and treating obesity and its associated diseases," the researchers explained.

They add, "These people could be at risk of developing obesity and metabolic diseases, and might benefit from personalised preventative interventions."

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