scholarly journals Health impact of the Anthropocene: the complex relationship between gut microbiota, epigenetics, and human health, using obesity as an example

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilie Torp Austvoll ◽  
Valentina Gallo ◽  
Doreen Montag
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Insulin Signalling ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanism ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Obese People ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Complex Solutions

Abstract The growing prevalence of obesity worldwide poses a public health challenge in the current geological epoch, the Anthropocene. Global changes caused by urbanisation, loss of biodiversity, industrialisation, and land-use are happening alongside microbiota dysbiosis and increasing obesity prevalence. How alterations of the gut microbiota are associated with obesity and the epigenetic mechanism mediating this and other health outcome associations are in the process of being unveiled. Epigenetics is emerging as a key mechanism mediating the interaction between human body and the environment in producing disease. Evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a role in obesity as it contributes to different mechanisms, such as metabolism, body weight and composition, inflammatory responses, insulin signalling, and energy extraction from food. Consistently, obese people tend to have a different epigenetic profile compared to non-obese. However, evidence is usually scattered and there is a growing need for a structured framework to conceptualise this complexity and to help shaping complex solutions. In this paper, we propose a framework to analyse the observed associations between the alterations of microbiota and health outcomes and the role of epigenetic mechanisms underlying them using obesity as an example, in the current context of global changes within the Anthropocene.

scholarly journals Who Pays for Obesity?

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Bhattacharya ◽  
Neeraj Sood
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Obese People ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Positive Externalities ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

Adult obesity is a growing problem. From 1962 to 2006, obesity prevalence nearly tripled to 35.1 percent of adults. The rising prevalence of obesity is not limited to a particular socioeconomic group and is not unique to the United States. Should this widespread obesity epidemic be a cause for alarm? From a personal health perspective, the answer is an emphatic “yes.” But when it comes to justifications of public policy for reducing obesity, the analysis becomes more complex. A common starting point is the assertion that those who are obese impose higher health costs on the rest of the population—a statement which is then taken to justify public policy interventions. But the question of who pays for obesity is an empirical one, and it involves analysis of how obese people fare in labor markets and health insurance markets. We will argue that the existing literature on these topics suggests that obese people on average do bear the costs and benefits of their eating and exercise habits. We begin by estimating the lifetime costs of obesity. We then discuss the extent to which private health insurance pools together obese and thin, whether health insurance causes obesity, and whether being fat might actually cause positive externalities for those who are not obese. If public policy to reduce obesity is not justified on the grounds of external costs imposed on others, then the remaining potential justification would need to be on the basis of helping people to address problems of ignorance or self-control that lead to obesity. In the conclusion, we offer a few thoughts about some complexities of such a justification.

Sugar consumption and global prevalence of obesity and hypertension: an ecological analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 587-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Siervo ◽  
Concetta Montagnese ◽  
John C Mathers ◽  
Katrina R Soroka ◽  
Blossom CM Stephan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Sugar Consumption ◽  
Ecological Analysis ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Country Specific

AbstractObjectiveThe nutrition transition model provides an integrated approach to analyse global changes in food consumption and lifestyle patterns. Whether variability in food availability for consumption, lifestyle and sociodemographic factors is associated with the worldwide prevalence distribution of overweight, obesity and hypertension is unclear.DesignEcological analysis.SettingCountry-specific prevalence estimates of overweight, obesity and hypertension were obtained. Prevalence estimates were then matched to year- and country-specific food and energy availability for consumption of cereals, sugar, sweeteners and honey, vegetable oils, fruits, starchy roots, pulses, total vegetables, alcoholic beverages, total meat, animal fat, eggs, milk, and fish and seafood. The per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP), urbanization rates and prevalence of physical inactivity for each country were also obtained.SubjectsThe overweight, obesity and hypertension databases included information from 128, 123 and seventy-nine countries, respectively.ResultsConsumption of sugar and animal products were directly associated with GDP and urbanization rates. In a multivariate regression model, physical inactivity (B = 0·01, se = 0·005, P = 0·003), cereal consumption (B = −0·02, se = 0·006, P < 0·001) and sugar consumption (B = 0·03, se = 0·01, P = 0·03) were significant predictors of obesity prevalence. Midpoint age (B = 0·21, se = 0·10, P = 0·02), prevalence of overweight (B = 0·18, se = 0·08, P = 0·02) and consumption of cereals (B = −0·22, se = 0·10, P = 0·02) were significant predictors of hypertension. Women appeared to have a significant obesity excess compared with men.ConclusionsHigh sugar consumption and sedentary lifestyle are associated with increased obesity prevalence. The non-linear association of sugar consumption with prevalence of obesity suggests that effective strategies to reduce its consumption may have differential effects in countries at different stages of the nutrition transition.

scholarly journals What Is the Role of Gut Microbiota in Obesity Prevalence? A Few Words about Gut Microbiota and Its Association with Obesity and Related Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Julita Tokarek ◽  
Joanna Gadzinowska ◽  
Ewelina Młynarska ◽  
Beata Franczyk ◽  
Jacek Rysz
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Genus Lactobacillus ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Lifestyle Disease ◽  
The Impact

Obesity is becoming the most dangerous lifestyle disease of our time, and its effects are already being observed in both developed and developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of gut microbiota on the prevalence of obesity and associated morbidities, taking into consideration underlying molecular mechanisms. In addition to exploring the relationship between obesity and fecal microorganisms with their metabolites, the study also focused on the factors that would be able to stimulate growth and remodeling of microbiota. Assessed articles were carefully classified according to a predetermined criterion and were critically appraised and used as a basis for conclusions. The considered articles and reviews acknowledge that intestinal microbiota forms a multifunctional system that might significantly affect human homeostasis. It has been proved that alterations in the gut microbiota are found in obese and metabolically diseased patients. The imbalance of microbiome composition, such as changes in Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio and presence of different species of genus Lactobacillus, might promote obesity and comorbidities (type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, depression, obstructive sleep apnea). However, there are also studies that contradict this theory. Therefore, further well-designed studies are needed to improve the knowledge about the influence of microbiota, its metabolites, and probiotics on obesity.

scholarly journals Dietary Acrylamide Intake Alters Gut Microbiota in Mice and Increases Its Susceptibility to Salmonella Typhimurium Infection

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2990
Author(s):  
Zhen Wang ◽  
Hongxu Liu ◽  
Jiaxiu Liu ◽  
Xiaomeng Ren ◽  
Guoku Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Normal Diet ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Enteric Infection ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Toxicological Effects

Acrylamide (AA) has been extensively examined for its potential toxicological effects on humans and animals, but its impacts on gut microbiota and effects on hosts’ susceptibility to enteric infection remain elusive. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of AA on gut microbiota of mice and susceptibility of mice to S. Typhimurium infection. After four weeks’ intervention, mice fed with AA exhibited significantly decreased body weight. Meanwhile, 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed reduced relative abundance of Firmicutes and increased abundance of Bacteroidetes in AA-treated mice prior to infection. In addition, we observed high relative abundance of Burkholderiales and Erysipelotrichales, more specifically the genus Sutterella and Allobaculum, respectively, in AA-treated mice before infection. Subsequently, the mice were orally infected with S. Typhimurium. The histological changes, systemic dissemination of S. Typhimurium, and inflammatory responses were examined. Compared to mice fed with normal diet, mice fed AA exhibited higher level of bacterial counts in liver, spleen, and ileum, which was consistent with exacerbated tissue damage determined by histological analyses. In addition, higher expression of pro-inflammaroty cytokines, p-IκBα, and p-P65 and lower mRNA expressions of mucin2, occludin, zo-1, claudin-1, and E-cadherin were detected in AA-treated mice. These findings provide novel insights into the potential health impact of AA consumption and the detailed mechanism for its effect on S. Typhimurium infection merit further exploration.

scholarly journals Impact of Gut Microbiota on the Risk of Cardiometabolic Diseases Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 743-751
Author(s):  
L. E. Vasilyeva ◽  
O. M. Drapkina
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Obese People ◽  
Cardiometabolic Diseases ◽  
The World ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Treatment Of Obesity ◽  
The Relationship

Obesity is a multifactorial disease that leads to excessive adipose tissue accumulation, mainly visceral fat. Importance and prevalence of obesity has increased significantly in recent decades all over the world. Until now, the pandemic of obesity has been associated more to lifestyle changes: excessive eating and low physical activity. In recent years, special attention has been paid to studying of composition and functions of intestinal microbiota as major factor in development of obesity and related comorbidities, such as hypertension, cardiac ischemia, heart failure and others. It is proved that gut microbiota affects extraction, accumulation and consumption of energy derived from food, lipid metabolism and immune response. It is also revealed that composition of the microbiota is different in thin and obese people. Thus, study of the relationship between intestinal microbiota composition and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, in particular obesity, is an actual task. The purpose of this review is analyzing of literature about assessment of relationship between composition and functions of intestinal microbiota in the diagnostics, prevention and treatment of obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

scholarly journals Evolution of the prevalence of obesity in the adult population in France, 2013–2016: the Constances study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien Czernichow ◽  
Adeline Renuy ◽  
Claire Rives-Lange ◽  
Claire Carette ◽  
Guillaume Airagnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Trend ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
French Population ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Point Change ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Age And Sex

AbstractThis study provides trends in obesity prevalence in adults from 2013 to 2016 in France. 63,582 men and women from independent samples upon inclusion from the Constances cohort were included. Anthropometrics were measured at Health Screening Centers and obesity defined as a Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2; obesity classes according to BMI are as follows: class 1 [30–34.9]; class 2 [35–39.9]; class 3 [≥ 40 kg/m2]. Linear trends across obesity classes by sex and age groups were examined in regression models and percentage point change from 2013 to 2016 for each age category calculated. All analyses accounted for sample weights for non-response, age and sex-calibrated to the French population. Prevalence of obesity ranged from 14.2 to 15.2% and from 14 to 15.3% in women and men respectively from 2013 to 2016. Class 1 obesity category prevalence was the only one to increase significantly across survey years in both men and women (p for linear trend = 0.04 and 0.01 in women and men respectively). The only significant increase for obesity was observed in the age group 18–29 y in both women and men (+ 2.71% and + 3.26% point increase respectively, equivalent to an approximate rise of 50% in women and 93% in men, p = 0.03 and 0.02 respectively). After adjustment for survey non-response and for age and sex distribution, the results show that class 1 obesity prevalence has significantly increased in both women and men from 2013 to 2016, and only in young adults in a representative sample of the French population aged 18–69 years old.

scholarly journals Time trends in socio-economic, urban-rural and regional disparities in prevalence of obesity among non-pregnant women in Lesotho: evidence from Lesotho demographic and health surveys (2004–2014)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Betregiorgis Zegeye ◽  
Gebretsadik Shibre ◽  
Gashaw Garedew Woldeamanuel
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Educational Inequality ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
World Health ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background The growing rates of obesity in developing countries are alarming. There is a paucity of evidence about disparities of obesity in Lesotho. This study examined socioeconomic and area-based inequalities in obesity among non-pregnant women in Lesotho. Methods Data were extracted from the 2004, 2009 and 2014 Lesotho Demographic and Health Surveys (LDHS) and analyzed through the recently updated Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) of the World Health Organization. Obesity prevalence was disaggregated by four equity stratifiers, namely education, wealth, residence and sub-national region. For each equity stratifier, simple and complex as well as relative and absolute summary measures were calculated. A 95% confidence interval was used to measure statistical significance of findings. Results We noticed substantial wealth-driven (D = -21.10, 95% CI; − 25.94, − 16.26), subnational region (PAR = -11.82, 95%CI; − 16.09, − 7.55) and urban-rural (− 9.82, 95% CI; − 13.65, − 5.99) inequalities in obesity prevalence without the inequalities improved over time in all the studied years. However, we did not identify educational inequality in obesity. Conclusions Wealth-driven and geographical inequalities was identified in Lesotho in all the studied time periods while education related inequalities did not appear during the same time period. All population groups in the country need to be reached with interventions to reduce the burden of obesity in the country.

scholarly journals Crosstalk between Gut and Brain in Alzheimer’s Disease: The Role of Gut Microbiota Modulation Strategies

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 690
Author(s):  
Umair Shabbir ◽  
Muhammad Sajid Arshad ◽  
Aysha Sameen ◽  
Deog-Hwan Oh
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ◽  
Fecal Microbiota ◽  
Gut Dysbiosis ◽  
Dynamic Population

The gut microbiota (GM) represents a diverse and dynamic population of microorganisms and about 100 trillion symbiotic microbial cells that dwell in the gastrointestinal tract. Studies suggest that the GM can influence the health of the host, and several factors can modify the GM composition, such as diet, drug intake, lifestyle, and geographical locations. Gut dysbiosis can affect brain immune homeostasis through the microbiota–gut–brain axis and can play a key role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The relationship between gut dysbiosis and AD is still elusive, but emerging evidence suggests that it can enhance the secretion of lipopolysaccharides and amyloids that may disturb intestinal permeability and the blood–brain barrier. In addition, it can promote the hallmarks of AD, such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, amyloid-beta formation, insulin resistance, and ultimately the causation of neural death. Poor dietary habits and aging, along with inflammatory responses due to dysbiosis, may contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. Thus, GM modulation through diet, probiotics, or fecal microbiota transplantation could represent potential therapeutics in AD. In this review, we discuss the role of GM dysbiosis in AD and potential therapeutic strategies to modulate GM in AD.

scholarly journals Relationships of gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, inflammation, and the gut barrier in Parkinson’s disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Velma T. E. Aho ◽  
Madelyn C. Houser ◽  
Pedro A. B. Pereira ◽  
Jianjun Chang ◽  
Knut Rudi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Short Chain ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Chain Fatty Acids

Abstract Background Previous studies have reported that gut microbiota, permeability, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and inflammation are altered in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but how these factors are linked and how they contribute to disease processes and symptoms remains uncertain. This study sought to compare and identify associations among these factors in PD patients and controls to elucidate their interrelations and links to clinical manifestations of PD. Methods Stool and plasma samples and clinical data were collected from 55 PD patients and 56 controls. Levels of stool SCFAs and stool and plasma inflammatory and permeability markers were compared between patients and controls and related to one another and to the gut microbiota. Results Calprotectin was increased and SCFAs decreased in stool in PD in a sex-dependent manner. Inflammatory markers in plasma and stool were neither intercorrelated nor strongly associated with SCFA levels. Age at PD onset was positively correlated with SCFAs and negatively correlated with CXCL8 and IL-1β in stool. Fecal zonulin correlated positively with fecal NGAL and negatively with PD motor and non-motor symptoms. Microbiota diversity and composition were linked to levels of SCFAs, inflammatory factors, and zonulin in stool. Certain relationships differed between patients and controls and by sex. Conclusions Intestinal inflammatory responses and reductions in fecal SCFAs occur in PD, are related to the microbiota and to disease onset, and are not reflected in plasma inflammatory profiles. Some of these relationships are distinct in PD and are sex-dependent. This study revealed potential alterations in microbiota-host interactions and links between earlier PD onset and intestinal inflammatory responses and reduced SCFA levels, highlighting candidate molecules and pathways which may contribute to PD pathogenesis and clinical presentation and which warrant further investigation.

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