In a recent study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition ESPEN , researchers explored causal associations between the gut microbiome and pediatric adiposity. Childhood adiposity is a developing concern linked to several health problems in children and adults. Genetics, environment, lifestyle, and gut flora contribute significantly to juvenile obesity.
Lifestyle variables such as nutrition and exercise influence childhood obesity. However, the causal link between adiposity and gut microbes is unclear. Gut microbes influence obesity by altering host metabolism.
Studies have reported imbalances in gut microbes such as Clostridium and Eubacterium rectale among obesity-prone individuals. The postulated gut-brain nexus implies that fecal microbiota transplantation and prebiotic supplementation are potential anti-obesity treatments. Study: Causal relationship between gut microbiota and childhood obesity: a Mendelian randomization study and case–control study .
Image Credit: Leeferiin / Shutterstoc k In the present study, researchers used Mendelian randomizations (MR) to investigate whether gut microbes are causally associated with childhood obesity. They validated the associations using sequencing information from case-control investigations. The researchers obtained gut microbiome summary statistics from the international MiBioGen consortium data, including genome-wide genotype and 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) fecal microbial information provided by 100,18,340 peopl.