Can your body predict how well you will lose weight—before you even start dieting? New research led by scientists at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) suggests that the answer may one day be yes. In a recent study published in PLOS ONE, researchers found that small molecules produced during metabolism—called metabolites—may help predict who will respond best to calorie-restricted diets. The idea that future weight-loss success could be anticipated in advance represents a major step toward more personalized, effective approaches to obesity and metabolic health.