The Influence of the Microbiota on Obesity

Take it to go: Obesity is a complex public health issue that is undergoing research regarding treatment options using the gut microbiota.

Obesity is an intricate medical problem that is associated with having an extreme amount of body fat.1 It can pose a huge issue since it can lead to other diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.1 Not only is it dangerous on an individual level, but the rise of obesity is also an ongoing public health issue that requires serious attention.2 The majority of treatments rely on interventions such as focusing on weight-loss programs and healthier eating; however, recent research has shown that there could be other ways to tackle this disease.1 Studies have shown that those who are obese are more likely to have a gut microbiome that is less diverse than lean individuals.3 Thus, it is critical to explore microbiology plays a role in creating innovative solutions to serious health issues.

Currently, there has been a lot of research done on how the gut microbiota has had an impact on obesity in many ways. One research study conducted by Dr. Antoine Aoun, consisted of a scoping review that utilized 83 existing articles to understand that relationship.4 It was found that those who were obese had a higher ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes.4 Additionally, the research found that certain dietary interventions could have a positive effect on reducing obesity.4 One way to do that is through the implementation of probiotics into the diet which helped in stopping fat accumulation.4 Furthermore, the studies found that certain types of diet can create changes in the microbiota. For example, a Western diet (followed in the USA) can decrease microbiota diversity, increase Firmicutes, and decrease Bacteroidetes.4 On the other hand, a Mediterranean diet can increase microbiota diversity, increase Bacteroidetes and Clostridium clusters, and decrease Proteobacteria and Bacillaceae.4 This demonstrates that certain diet changes can help increase microbiota diversity and foster positive outcomes such as decreased obesity and a healthier lifestyle.

As mentioned previously, obesity is a complex disease. Thus, one solution is not going to magically solve it. According to the NYT, there have been several researchers who have trialed and tested many strategies such as fecal transplants, transferring lean microbiota to obese individuals, and various supplements.5 However, many of these innovative ideas have not been as successful as hoped for.5 Thus, researchers and scientists continue to urge obese individuals to couple more recent solutions with other solutions as well by eating a balanced diet, frequently exercising, and changing current habits.5 With this multi-step approach, the population can work to tackle obesity one step at a time.

Work Cited:

1. Obesity — Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Accessed February 5, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742
2. CDC. Obesity is a Common, Serious, and Costly Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published November 12, 2021. Accessed February 5, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
3. Muscogiuri G, Cantone E, Cassarano S, et al. Gut microbiota: a new path to treat obesity. Int J Obes Supp. 2019;9(1):10–19. doi:10.1038/s41367–019–0011–7
4. Aoun A, Darwish F, Hamod N. The Influence of the Gut Microbiome on Obesity in Adults and the Role of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics for Weight Loss. Prev Nutr Food Sci. 2020;25(2):113–123. doi:10.3746/pnf.2020.25.2.113
5. O’Connor A. Seeking an Obesity Cure, Researchers Turn to the Gut Microbiome. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/10/well/eat/seeking-an-obesity-cure-researchers-turn-to-the-gut-microbiome.html. Published September 10, 2019. Accessed February 5, 2022.