Recently, a study published in mBio determined that by analyzing the gut microbiota in small infants, the risk of becoming overweight could be determined. More specifically, the gut microbiota at age 2, related with the Body Mass Index (MBI) at age 12. The study was performed by two groups at the University of Colorado and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo. The scientists studied the gut microbiota of children at day four, day ten, one month, four months, one year and two years after birth; and then they compared them with the MBI of these children when they become to the age of 12.
The study showed that the gut microbiota of children at age of 2 had the highest relationship later in life with the BMI z-scores (relative weight adjusted for child age and sex), even though at age 2 there is no clearly sign that children were going to become obese. Furthermore, some gut microbes that were believed to be healthy for both adults and children, were related with higher childhood BMI, proving that the gut colonization process is not completely understood. The results of this research performed in a Norwegian patient cohort, suggests that a larger study including more subjects of different places and races will validate the results observed in this study.
The study concludes that the gut microbiota can depend on our diet and habits, so the best way to maintain the gut microbiota in order is to maintain a balanced diet, with different kinds of vegetables and fibers. The findings in the study are important, since they will help to design better strategies in order to prevent the obesity and therefore improving the quality of life of millions of persons in the future.
Erica Paniagua y Lourdes Amieva.
Biotechnology Grade. Microbiology Course Group 03. Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo.
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