Disrupted gut microbiome networks and unhealthy behaviors predict metabolic dysfunction in children and adolescents in the long term

We recently showed that the individual gut microbiome (GM) configuration in children and adolescents, together with long-term dietary habits, can predict the development of obesity. Here, we expanded our previous cohort to include 218 individuals and used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, shotgun metatranscriptomics, and a network approach to analyze fecal samples collected at a baseline survey and after a 4-year follow-up, investigating associations with health status, dietary intake, and other health-related behaviors. Our results showed that an unbalanced GM profile in children/adolescents, with few represented species, poor connectivity, and low transcriptional activity (especially in relation to molecular effectors that positively influence gut and immune health), combined with unhealthy behaviors (i.e., low-fiber diet and reduced physical activity), may favor the onset of obesity. This knowledge may pave the way for the development of adjunct GM-based precision intervention strategies aimed at rewiring microbial networks to promote long-term health.