"Growth-Promoting Effect" of Antibiotic Use Could Explain the Global Obesity Pandemic: A European Survey

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Clinical observations suggest a link between early-life antibiotic exposure and increased childhood obesity rates.
• Experimental studies implicate a modified gut microbiome in obesity development.
• Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis is a potential factor in the rising obesity epidemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific antibiotic classes associated with promoting or inhibiting obesity-related gut dysbiosis.
• To analyze correlations between antibiotic consumption patterns and obesity prevalence across European countries.

Main Methods:

• Compiled a database of average yearly antibiotic consumption (2008-2018) from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports for 30 European countries.
• Compared antibiotic consumption data with childhood and adult obesity prevalence from the Obesity Atlas.
• Utilized Pearson's chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression analysis to assess correlations and odds ratios.

Main Results:

• Found strong positive associations between childhood obesity and consumption of systemic antibiotics, broad-spectrum, beta-lactamase-resistant penicillin, cephalosporin, and quinolone.
• Identified a negative correlation between obesity and consumption of tetracycline, broad-spectrum, beta-lactamase-sensitive penicillin, and narrow-spectrum, beta-lactamase-sensitive penicillin.
• Specific antibiotic classes may have a 'growth-promoting effect' contributing to obesity.

Conclusions:

• Certain antibiotic classes are significantly associated with increased obesity rates.
• The "growth-promoting effect" of specific antibiotics on gut microbiota may be a key factor in the obesity pandemic.
• Further research into antibiotic stewardship is warranted to mitigate obesity risks.