The test estimates an individual’s calories to satiation (CTS)—how much food it takes for a person to feel full—and links this biological trait to treatment success. The findings, published in Cell Metabolism, represent a promising step toward more personalized and effective treatments for people living with obesity.

“Patients deserve treatments that reflect their biology, not just their body size,” says Andres Acosta, M.D., Ph.D., a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic and senior author of the study. “This test helps us deliver the right medication to the right person from the start.”