Abstract

CARVALHO, Daniela; FARIA, Ana  and  LOUREIRO, Helena. Intestinal Microbiota and Chid obesity: A review. Acta Port Nutr [online]. 2020, n.21, pp.38-41. ISSN 2183-5985.  https://doi.org/10.21011/apn.2020.2108.

INTRODUCTION: The composition of the intestinal microbiota has been increasingly pointed as a major factor for obesity, particularly in childhood obesity since childhood is a critical period for the development of colonizing bacteria in the gut. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to carry out a narrative review, in order to verify differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota of children and adolescents with overweight/obesity compared to normal weight, through the analysis of scientific articles, interventions and observations, focusing on the role of intestinal microbiota in pediatric age. METHODOLOGY: A selection and analysis of articles was performed, and 14 articles were selected to compose this review. RESULTS: The group of bacteria most associated with weight gain / body mass index in children are bacteroidetes and firmicutes. It is also found that diversification and bacterial quantification of the intestinal microbiota vary according to body weight, and that factors such as diet, probiotic supplementation and antibiotics may have a major role in the formation of childhood intestinal microbiota. CONCLUSIONS: The analyzed information suggests that there is an association between intestinal microbiota composition and body weight. However, there are still few studies to be able to clearly and precisely recognize the role of intestinal microbiota in the etiology of childhood obesity.

Keywords : Intestinal Microbiota; Childhood obesity.

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