Composition of the Gut Microbiome in Adolescent Girls With Overweight and Obesity

Abstract

ObjectivesThe animal and human studies suggest that obesity can change the gut microbiome. However, a few studies evaluate these in adolescents. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the composition of the gut microbiome in adolescent girls with overweight and obesity. MethodsWeight of adolescents has assessed with WHO growth charts for girls 2–18 years. DNA extraction has done for 50 stool samples of adolescent girls and TaqMan real-time PCR assays was used for the quantitation of gut microbiome in the feces. ResultsIn adolescent girls with overweight and obesity Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were 63% and 61% lower when compared with participants with normal weight. There was not a significant difference for Bifidobacterium in two groups of adolescents. Furthermore, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus were 72% and 88% lower in overweight and obese adolescents. ConclusionsThese results suggest that obesity and overweight can change the composition of the gut microbiome in adolescents. Changes in Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes might be important factors for adolescent obesity and further clinical trials need to clarify this complex relationship. Funding SourcesMashhad University of Medical Sciences.