A technology developed at Arizona State University is giving doctors a new tool to help patients lose weight and improve their health.
According to the World Obesity Federation, more than 1.5 billion people will have obesity by 2035. Over half of U.S. adults are expected to be affected.
“Fighting obesity also means addressing the root causes of many related diseases like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, metabolic disorders, lung problems, sleep apnea, and even some cancers,” said Erica Forzani, a professor in ASU’s School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy.
Forzani and the late Professor NJ Tao, both researchers at ASU’s Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, developed a device called Breezing to take on this challenge. The device analyzes a person’s breath to reveal detailed information about their metabolism.
Unlike traditional formulas that estimate calorie needs, Breezing gives real-time data on how a person’s body burns energy. This allows doctors to create tailored weight loss plans, monitor progress, and adjust those plans when patients hit weight-loss plateaus.
Breezing Med has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration since 2020. In spring 2025, it also received Medical Device Regulation (MDR) certification in the European Union, opening the door to wider global use.
“The European Commission has strict requirements for medical certifications, so we are proud of this milestone,” Forzani said.
The Breezing technology has been supporting weight management since 2011. The company behind it, Breezing Co., earned awards from the 2018 Arizona Innovation Challenge and the 2019 ASU InvestU pitch event. With help from ASU Skysong Innovations, the team pushed forward with regulatory approvals.
Designed for clinical settings, Breezing Med is now used in departments such as obesity medicine, bariatric surgery, endocrinology, family medicine, and nutrition.
Dr. Edo Aarts, a bariatric and metabolic surgeon and CEO of MoreCare Clinics in the Netherlands, said the device has improved efficiency in care. “Now that Breezing Med is certified in Europe, we can measure resting energy expenditure faster and more affordably,” he said. “It adds valuable data to guide patients before and after surgery toward a healthier weight.”
Effective weight loss requires burning more calories than are consumed. One of the key challenges is that the body can adapt to lower-calorie diets by slowing its metabolism, making it harder to keep losing weight. Breezing measures resting metabolic rate—the number of calories a body burns at rest—to help track this change.
The device also measures respiratory quotient, which shows what type of fuel—carbohydrates, fats, or proteins—the body is using for energy. While healthy bodies typically switch from carbs to fat once carbs run out, people with obesity often have difficulty making that switch.
With these two metrics, doctors can better understand what’s going on inside the body and adjust diet and exercise plans accordingly.
During an initial visit, a patient breathes normally into the Breezing device for 10 minutes. It measures metabolic rate, respiratory quotient, and six other respiratory values. Based on these numbers, the doctor creates a personalized plan.
The patient returns about a month later for a follow-up test. If their metabolism has changed, the plan is adjusted to continue progress and avoid a plateau.
Mandy Megan Conyers-Smith, a registered dietitian in Canada, uses Breezing Pro—a consumer version of the device—in her nutrition practice.
“Knowing my clients’ unique energy needs has been essential, especially for those dealing with weight issues, chronic fatigue, or changes from long-term dieting,” she said.
She added that Breezing gives her the confidence to offer sustainable and personalized nutrition plans. “In many cases,” she said, “just seeing the results gives clients the motivation to stick with their health goals.”
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