Gut microbiota profiling in obese children from Southeastern China

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a global health concern with long-term implications.
• Gut microbiota composition is increasingly recognized as a factor in obesity development.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for effective intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between childhood obesity and gut microbiota composition.
• To identify lifestyle and familial factors associated with childhood obesity.
• To explore potential microbial biomarkers for obesity in children.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 19 normal-weight and 47 obese children.
• Collected data via questionnaire on family background, lifestyle, and diet.
• Analyzed gut microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing and PICRUSt.
• Compared microbiota composition and function between normal-weight and obese children.

Main Results:

• Obese children had altered gut microbiota, with reduced Bacteroidota and increased Firmicutes, leading to a higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio.
• Actinobacteriota were also increased in obese children's gut microbiota.
• Significant differences in gut microbiota metabolic functions were observed between obese and normal-weight children.
• Lifestyle factors like screen time and physical activity, along with parental obesity and maternal education, were associated with child weight status.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiota composition and function are significantly different in obese children compared to normal-weight children.
• These microbial differences suggest a crucial role for the gut microbiome in childhood obesity.
• Findings offer insights into potential therapeutic targets for childhood obesity management.