Childhood Obesity Body Mass Index and Gut Microbiome: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Pilot Feasibility Study. Child Obes 2025 Jul;21(5):489-496
Date
03/19/2025Pubmed ID
40106235DOI
10.1089/chi.2024.0344Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105000544622 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 1 CitationAbstract
Background: Prebiotic fiber has been examined as a way to foster gut bacteria less associated with obesity. Tests of prebiotic fiber in reducing obesity have occurred mainly in animals, adults, and Caucasians when the highest obesity rates are in African American and Latinx youth. Response to prebiotic fiber is determined by the pre-existing intestinal microbiota. The type of microbiota varies based on diet and physical activity (PA), so it is important to examine acceptability and response to prebiotic fiber in those most at risk for obesity. Methods: This cluster randomized controlled feasibility trial included an online program designed to improve diet and PA along with administration of prebiotic fiber for 12 weeks in 123 4th and 5th grade students where 98% were eligible for free or reduced fee lunch. Of these 56% were male; 71% Latinx; 15% African American; and 14% Other. Results: A decrease in body fat (BF) was associated with higher pre-test BF. Lower BMI was associated with a decrease in fecal Tenericutes and an increase in Actinobacteria. Conclusion: Prebiotic fiber was evaluated in additional studies. Determining those most responsive to prebiotic fiber can also permit individual recommendations for greater inclusion in usual diet choices.
Author List
Frenn M, Salzman N, Lam V, Holtz M, Moosreiner A, Garnier-Villarreal M, Singh MAuthors
Marilyn D. Frenn PhD Professor in the College of Nursing department at Marquette UniversityNita H. Salzman PhD, MD Center Director in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Body Mass IndexChild
Dietary Fiber
Exercise
Feasibility Studies
Feces
Female
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Humans
Male
Pediatric Obesity
Pilot Projects
Prebiotics
