Gut bacteria in infants predict future obesity

summary: A new study reports that the composition and abundance of gut bacteria in infants aged 3.5 years can predict body mass index (BMI) at age 5, regardless of prematurity at birth.

Research results indicate that the gut microbiota changes associated with adult obesity may begin early in childhood.

This study highlights specific types of gut bacteria that are highly predictive of BMI at 5 years of age. Gut microbiota is emerging as an important factor in childhood as it influences weight gain.

Important facts:

1. Gut microbiota composition and abundance in infants can predict future BMI regardless of preterm birth.
2. Differences have been identified in the gut microbiota of obese adults, suggesting that changes that predispose to adult obesity may begin early in childhood.
3. Certain types of gut bacteria were found to significantly influence BMI in children as young as 5 years old.

sauce: European Society for Obesity Research

Gut microbiota composition and abundance in 3.5-year-old infants, regardless of whether they were born prematurely, can predict body mass index (BMI) at age 5, according to a new study presented at this year’s European Congress. Obesity (ECO) in Dublin (17-20 May).

The results of the study also identified differences in gut bacteria colonization in obese adults, suggesting that changes in the gut microbiota that predispose to adult obesity begin in early childhood.

The composition of the gut microbiota grows and changes in the first months and years of life, and disruption of its development is associated with later life conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes, and childhood obesity. I’m here.

However, the relationship between the gut microbiota and changes in BMI during childhood and childhood overweight remains unclear, and information about preterm infants is scarce.

To learn more, the study, led by Gaël Thoubon of the Université de la Cité in Paris and the Université du Nord of Paris, Sorbonne, France, examined the intestinal tracts of 3.5-year-old children born from two birth cohorts across France. We investigated how the microbiota relates to the gut microbiota of children. Change in BMI at 5 years and between 2 and 5 years after adjusting for confounding factors such as child’s age and sex, gestational age, method of delivery, breastfeeding history, maternal preconception BMI, and country of birth .

Overall, EPIPAGE2, a national study conducted in all French obstetric and neonatal departments in 2011, included 143 preterm infants (born <32 weeks gestational age) and 369 term infants. Infants (born >33 weeks gestational age) were included. ) from ELFE — a national survey tracking the lives of her 18,000 children born in metropolitan France in 2011.

A stool sample was collected at 3.5 years of age. Genetic microbiota profiling reveals a positive correlation between her BMI z-score (a measure of height-based weight for each age group by gender) and gut bacteria ratio at age 5 became. Firmicutesah bacteroides that are directly related to obesity, bacteroides (compared to Firmicutes), thin people are more likely to do so.

“The reason these gut bacteria affect weight is because they regulate the amount of fat we absorb,” explains Toubon. ” Firmicutes To bacteroides You absorb more calories and are more likely to gain weight. ”

The analysis also found that six specific types of gut bacteria were highly predictive of BMI z-score at 5 years of age.

Three categories of bacteria are more abundant—Eubacterium Hallii group, Fushicate nibacterand Eubacterium ventriosum group– Identified as a risk factor for higher BMI z-score. And even more three types of bacteria—Eggerterra, colic tribacterand Ruminococcaceae CAG-352– Associated with lower BMI z-score.

Interestingly, some types of bacteria were also associated with changes in BMI z-scores between 2 and 5 years of age, and some bacteria showed faster BMI z-score changes between 2 and 5 years of age. Although shown to be involved in the rate of progression, other bacteria should be even more defensive against this rapid progression.

Furthermore, the researchers found that both the predicted biosynthesis of steroid hormones and the gut microbiota metabolic pathways of biotin (a B vitamin involved in a wide range of metabolic processes) were associated with lower BMI z-scores over 5 years. I discovered that

“These findings suggest that it’s not just what bacteria are involved that are important to the gut microbiota, but what they do,” explains Toubon.

Importantly, premature birth did not affect later BMI.

“Gut microbiome is emerging as an important early factor that may affect weight gain in childhood and later in life,” says Toubon.

“Our findings reveal how imbalances in different bacterial communities play an important role in the development of obesity.

“Further research is needed to delve into the specific bacterial species that influence risk and defense, and to better understand when the switch to an obesity-friendly gut microbiome occurs and therefore the appropriate timing for possible interventions.” is.”

About this obesity research news

author: S. Bryant
sauce: European Society for Obesity Research
contact: S Bryant – European Association for Obesity Research
image: Image credited to Neuroscience News

Original research: The results of the study will be presented at the European Obesity Congress (ECO).