Gut Microbiota Composition in Adolescents From Mexico City, Associations With Nutritional and Socioeconomic Factors: Results From a Pilot Study.

The dominant phyla in the gut microbiota of Mexican adolescents were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, with Azobacteroides Candidatus, Parabacteroides, Bacteroides, and Prevotella being the most abundant genera.

• Stool samples from 95 Mexican adolescents aged 11-15 years were analyzed using 16S rRNA V3-V4 sequencing.
• This was described as a pilot study.
• The sample included adolescents from Mexico City.

Overweight and obese adolescents showed lower gut microbiota diversity and more Bacteroidetes compared to normal-weight peers.

• Normal-weight adolescents had more Firmicutes and beneficial taxa.
• Lactobacillus was enriched in normal-weight individuals.
• BMI was associated with differences in gut microbiota composition and diversity.
• The study analyzed associations with body mass index (BMI) as a measure of nutritional status.

Low socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with enrichment of potentially pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia and Salmonella, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms.

• Parabacteroides and Prevotella were more abundant in adolescents with low SES.
• Low SES was associated with the presence of potential pathogens including Escherichia and Salmonella.
• Low SES was also associated with gastrointestinal symptoms.
• SES was identified as a factor shaping diversity and potentially pathogenic taxa.

A diet high in sugar-sweetened beverages and low in whole grains was associated with predominance of Bacteroides and lower gut microbiota diversity.

• Dietary patterns were linked to specific shifts in gut microbiota composition.
• Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and low whole grain intake were the specific dietary factors identified.
• Diet was identified alongside SES as a key influence on the adolescent gut microbiome.

Specific bacterial genera showed associations with blood lipid levels in adolescents.

• Vibrio and Salmonella were inversely associated with cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Clostridiodes was positively correlated with triglycerides.
• These associations were observed within the context of low SES and dietary patterns.