Compliance with Nutritional Recommendations and Gut Microbiota Profile in Galician Overweight/Obese and Normal-Weight Individuals

Abstract

Different research studies have identified specific groups or certain dietary compounds as the onset and progression of obesity and suggested that gut microbiota is a mediator between these compounds and the inflammation associated with pathology. In this study, the objective was to evaluate the dietary intake of 108 overweight (OW), obese (OB), and normal-weight (NW) individuals and to analyze their gut microbiota profile to determine changes and associations with Body Mass Index (BMI) and diet. When individuals were compared by BMI, significant differences in fiber and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) intake were observed, showing higher adequacy for the NW group. The analysis of gut microbiota showed statistical differences for 18 ASVs; Anaerostipes and Faecalibacterium decreased in the OW/OB group, whereas the genus Oscillospira increased; the genus was also found in the LEFSe analysis as a biomarker for OW/OB. Roseburia faecis was found in a significantly higher proportion of NW individuals and identified as a biomarker for the NW group. Correlation analysis showed that adequation to nutritional recommendation for fiber indicated a higher abundance of Prevotella copri, linearly correlated with F. prausnitzii, Bacteroides caccae, and R. faecis. The same correlation was found for the adequation for MUFAs, with these bacteria being more abundant when the intake was adjusted to or below the recommendations.