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Updated: Jun 27, 2025
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
Association between childhood obesity and gut microbiota: 16S rRNA gene sequencing-based cohort study
Xu-Ming Li1, Qing Lv2, Ya-Jun Chen3
1Laboratory Department, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital), Nanjing 210004, Jiangsu Province, China.
Insights
Childhood obesity is linked to lower gut microbial diversity. Obese children show distinct gut bacteria composition compared to normal-weight peers, with differences in Prevotella and Bacteroides abundance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Pediatric health
- Obesity studies
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host metabolism and health.
- Understanding gut microbiome differences in children is vital for prevention and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristic gut genera in obese versus normal-weight children aged 8-12.
- To provide a basis for mechanistic studies and prevention strategies for childhood obesity.
- To analyze gut microbiota diversity and composition using 16S rDNA sequencing.
Main Methods:
- Included 30 obese and 30 normal-weight children (8-12 years old), matched for age and sex.
- Collected questionnaires and body measurements (BMI, body-fat percentage).
- Performed 16S rDNA sequencing on fecal samples for gut microbiota analysis.
Main Results:
- Obese children had significantly lower alpha diversity (Ace, Chao1 indices) in their gut microbiota.
- Significant differences in gut microbiota composition were observed between obese and normal-weight children.
- Prevotella and Firmicutes were more abundant in obese children, while Bacteroides and Sanguibacteroides were more prevalent in normal-weight children.
Conclusions:
- Obese children exhibit reduced gut microbial alpha diversity compared to normal-weight children.
- Gut microbiota composition significantly differs between obese and normal-weight children.
- Findings highlight the gut microbiome as a potential target for childhood obesity interventions.
Background:
This study aimed to identify characteristic gut genera in obese and normal-weight children (8-12 years old) using 16S rDNA sequencing. The research aimed to provide insights for mechanistic studies and prevention strategies for childhood obesity. Thirty normal-weight and thirty age- and sex-matched obese children were included. Questionnaires and body measurements were collected, and fecal samples underwent 16S rDNA sequencing. Significant differences in body mass index (BMI) and body-fat percentage were observed between the groups. Analysis of gut microbiota diversity revealed lower α-diversity in obese children. Di-fferences in gut microbiota composition were found between the two groups. Prevotella and Firmicutes were more abundant in the obese group, while Bacteroides and Sanguibacteroides were more prevalent in the control group.
Aim:
To identify the characteristic gut genera in obese and normal-weight children (8-12-year-old) using 16S rDNA sequencing, and provide a basis for subsequent mechanistic studies and prevention strategies for childhood obesity.
Methods:
Thirty each normal-weight, 1:1 matched for age and sex, and obese children, with an obese status from 2020 to 2022, were included in the control and obese groups, respectively. Basic information was collected through questionnaires and body measurements were obtained from both obese and normal-weight children. Fecal samples were collected from both groups and subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing using an Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform for gut microbiota diversity analysis.
Results:
Significant differences in BMI and body-fat percentage were observed between the two groups. The Ace and Chao1 indices were significantly lower in the obese group than those in the control group, whereas differences were not significant in the Shannon and Simpson indices. Kruskal-Wallis tests indicated significant differences in unweighted and weighted UniFrac distances between the gut microbiota of normal-weight and obese children (P < 0.01), suggesting substantial disparities in both the species and quantity of gut microbiota between the two groups. Prevotella, Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Sanguibacteroides were more abundant in the obese and control groups, respectively. Heatmap results demonstrated significant differences in the gut microbiota composition between obese and normal-weight children.
Conclusion:
Obese children exhibited lower α-diversity in their gut microbiota than did the normal-weight children. Significant differences were observed in the composition of gut microbiota between obese and normal-weight children.
