Association between gut microbiota at 3.5 years of age and body mass index at 5 years: results from two French nationwide birth cohorts
Authors' conclusion
These findings indicate that the gut microbiota at 3.5 years is associated with later BMI during childhood, independent of preterm or term birth, suggesting that changes in the gut microbiota that may predispose to adult obesity begin in early childhood.
Study context
- Population
- Preterm and late preterm/full-term children from two French nationwide birth cohorts; gut microbiota profiled at 3.5 years
- Participants
- 143 vs 369
- Exposure
- EPIPAGE 2 vs ELFE
- EPIPAGE 2n = 143
- ELFEn = 369
- Outcome
- BMI z-score at 5 years and BMI z-score variations between 2 and 5 years
- Follow-up
- 5 years
Methodological detailstwo French nationwide birth cohorts, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, multivariable linear and logistic regressions, random forest variable selection, MiRKAT
- Two French nationwide birth cohorts
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing
- Multivariable linear and logistic regressions
- Random forest variable selection
- MiRKAT
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
BMI z-score at 5 years
- Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio at 3.5 years positively associated with body mass index (BMI) z-score at 5 years
- Genera positively associated with BMI z-score at 5 years: [Eubacterium] hallii group, Fusicatenibacter, [Eubacterium] ventriosum group
- Genera negatively associated with BMI z-score at 5 years: Eggerthella, Colidextribacter, Ruminococcaceae CAG-352
- Some genera associated with BMI z-score variations between 2 and 5 years
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Predicted metabolic functions (PICRUSt2) and BMI z-score at 5 years
- Steroid hormone biosynthesis, biotin metabolism, glycosaminoglycan degradation, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism associated with lower BMI z-scores
- Unsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis pathway associated with higher BMI z-scores
Original publication
Association between gut microbiota at 3.5 years of age and body mass index at 5 years: results from two French nationwide birth cohorts. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 15 December 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →