Intestinal Flora: an Important Participant in Childhood Obesity

The increasing incidence of childhood obesity has emerged as a novel challenge in the realm of global public health. Studies have demonstrated that alterations in the composition of intestinal flora during the early stages of life contribute to the development of obesity by influencing nutrient absorption and metabolism, triggering inflammatory responses, and regulating the communication between the gut and brain. Currently, Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia muciniphila have been found to reduce body fat content, exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, and enhance intestinal barrier function, whereas Prevotella is strongly associated with improvements in individual glucose metabolism induced by dietary fiber. Translational application of specific intestinal flora benefits to body glycolipid metabolism is helpful for the early prevention and therapy of pediatric obesity. This review elucidates the impact of early-life changes in intestinal flora composition on childhood obesity explores the mechanisms by which intestinal flora contributes to obesity pathogenesis, and specifically focuses on recent advances in utilizing short-chain fatty acids for the regulation of intestinal flora and the amelioration of obesity, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for the intervention of childhood obesity from the perspective of intestinal flora.