Mixed
Higher obesity (BMI) in the US Latino population is associated with a higher Prevotella to Bacteroides ratio and lower bacterial alpha diversity, contrary to findings in some non-Hispanic populations.
In this Latino population, higher obesity was linked to lower bacterial diversity and a higher P:B ratio. To counter this, focus on dietary quality: higher intake of whole grains, vegetables, and fiber, and lower intake of red meat and trans fats, was associated with a healthier P:B ratio. This suggests that dietary improvements can positively impact your microbiome even if you have obesity.
Higher levels of obesity were associated with lower bacterial alpha diversity (Shannon index) and higher Prevotella to Bacteroides ratio, after adjustment for confounders.
Why this rating
Large cohort, multivariable adjustment, but cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
Source
Gut microbiome composition in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos is shaped by geographic relocation, environmental factors, and obesity
Robert C. Kaplan et al. · Genome biology · 2019
DOI 10.1186/s13059-019-1831-z
More from this paper
- Relocating from Latin America to the USA during early life (before age 18) causes a persistent reduction in the Prevotella to Bacteroides ratio and lower fungal alpha diversity, whereas late-life relocation (after age 45) is associated with high bacterial and fungal diversity and high Prevotella to Bacteroides ratios.Good
- Dietary acculturation to a Western diet (higher intake of red meat, trans fats, lower fiber) is associated with a lower Prevotella to Bacteroides ratio and lower fungal diversity, while a healthier diet (higher AHEI score) is associated with a higher P:B ratio.Good
Related findings · Mixed
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- For patients with Class III obesity (BMI >39.9 kg/m2), metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is significantly more effective than any currently approved medication, with BilioPancreatic Diversion (BPD) showing the highest estimated weight loss.Strong
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