Does microbiota influence the risk of childhood obesity?

Abstract

Childhood obesity is associated to incremented risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or cancer, later in life. Several factors affect infant weight gain such as genetics, maternal lifestyle, and other environmental factors. Perinatal period is considered to be the most important one to when defining metabolic programming of the future adult. Several previous researches have discussed the role that gut microbiota might play on obesity risk and its development between 3-5 years old. Again, perinatal period is crucial to define quantity and diversity of a healthy intestinal microbiota. Maternal diet/BMI, delivery mode, antibiotic exposure and breastfeeding are some of the processes that will determine a favorable gut microbiota. Functions of gut microbiota, mostly by producing short-chain fatty acids as metabolites, include regulation of metabolism and immune system of the host, which may be compromised in case of dysbiosis. This review pretends to evaluate the state of the art concerning infant obesity and the role of gut microbiota. Despite the large amount of scientific publications, there is still much work to do regarding the clarification of mechanisms and the possible therapy for childhood obesity.

Keywords

• Obesity
• Gastrointestinal Microbiome
• Pediatric Obesity
• Breast Feeding
• Dysbiosis