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[Comparative Analysis of Oral and Gut Microbiota Composition in Children Aged 3-5 Years With Different Body Mass
Ting Ma1,2,3, Zeyu Wu1,2,3, Bingjie Lian1,2,3
1（） （ 830000） Department of Endodontics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (Affiliated Stomatology Hospital), Urumqi 830000, China.
Insights
Oral and gut bacteria differ significantly in children with varying body mass index (BMI). Oral microbiota are more sensitive to BMI changes, with specific bacteria linked to obesity and inflammation in overweight children.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Pediatric health
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Microbiota composition is increasingly recognized as a factor influencing host metabolism and health.
- Understanding the interplay between microbiota and body mass index (BMI) in early childhood is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in oral and gut microbiota composition in Urumqi children aged 3-5 years across varying BMI categories.
- To establish a scientific foundation for early microbiological warning and intervention strategies for childhood obesity.
Main Methods:
- 40 children aged 3-5 years were categorized into underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity groups (10 per group) based on BMI percentiles.
- Saliva and fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze microbial community structures.
- Bioinformatics and statistical analyses were employed to interpret the sequencing data.
Main Results:
- Oral microbiota richness (Chao1, observed-species) significantly differed across BMI groups, unlike gut microbiota diversity.
- Distinct oral microbiota profiles were observed between normal-weight and other BMI groups.
- Obese children showed increased oral *Leptotrichia*, while overweight children had increased gut *Faecalibacterium* and *Blautia*. Specific genera like *Catonella* and Prevotellaceae were identified as oral biomarkers, and Clostridiales, Lachnospiraceae, and *Hungatella* as gut biomarkers in underweight children.
- Metabolic pathways for lipopolysaccharide synthesis and amino acid metabolism were upregulated in overweight and obese children's microbiota.
Conclusions:
- Significant variations in oral and gut microbiota composition exist among children with different BMI levels.
- Oral microbiota demonstrate higher sensitivity to BMI fluctuations.
- Specific oral and gut microbial signatures, including *Catonella* and *Leptotrichia*, may play roles in obesity development.
- Microbiota metabolic pathways in children with high BMI are associated with inflammation activation and lipid metabolism dysregulation.
Objective:
To investigate the differences in oral and gut microbiota composition among children aged 3-5 years with varying body mass index (BMI) levels in Urumqi, and to provide a scientific basis for early microbiological warning and intervention strategies for childhood obesity.
Methods:
A total of 40 children aged 3-5 years were enrolled. Based on their BMI percentiles, the participants were divided into 4 groups, including the underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity groups (n = 10 per group). A total of 80 saliva and fecal samples were collected. Microbial community structures were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, followed by bioinformatics and statistical analyses.
Results:
Oral microbiota richness, as measured by Chao1 and observed-species indices, differed significantly among the four groups (P = 0.0047 and P = 0.0054, respectively), whereas no significant difference in gut microbiota diversity was observed (P > 0.05). Beta diversity analysis revealed a distinct separation in oral microbiota between the normal-weight weight and other groups. At the genus level, obese children exhibited increased abundance in oral Leptotrichia, underweight children showed enrichment of gut Bacteroides, and overweight children showed increased abundance in gut Faecalibacterium and Blautia. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis identified multiple biomarkers, including Prevotellaceae in the oral microbiota of normal-weight children, Catonella in the oral microbiota of obese children, and Clostridiales, Lachnospiraceae, and Hungatella in the gut microbiota of underweight children. Metabolic pathways related to lipopolysaccharide synthesis and amino acid metabolism were significantly upregulated in the microbiota of overweight and obese children.
Conclusion:
Significant differences are observed in the oral and gut microbiota composition among children aged 3-5 years of different BMI levels in Urumqi. Oral microbiota show greater sensitivity to BMI changes. Specific genera, such as Catonella, Leptotrichia, and Prevotellaceae, may be involved in the development of obesity. The microbiota metabolic pathways in children with high BMI are characterized by the core features of inflammation activation and lipid metabolism dysregulation.
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