Higher Bifidobacterium spp. fecal abundance is associated with a lower prevalence of hyperglycemia and cardiovascular risk markers among schoolchildren from Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

The gut microbiome has recently been the subject of considerable scientific interest due to its essential bodily functions. Several factors can change the composition and function of the gut microbiome, and dietary habits are one of the most important contributors. Despite the recognition of the probiotic effects related to the genus Bifidobacterium spp. (BIF) studies aiming to assess its relationship with metabolic outcomes show conflicting results, particularly in the child population. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the fecal abundance of BIF in a group of schoolchildren from public schools in Bahia, Brazil, and to investigate their relationship with food consumption and laboratory and anthropometric characteristics. A sample of 190 subjects aged 5 to 19y was randomly selected for dietary, laboratory, and anthropometric assessment. Fecal BIF abundance assessment was performed using the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction assay. Fecal BIF abundance was higher among subjects who had lower intakes of meat. The abundance of BIF was also higher among subjects with lower Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR). Low BIF abundance was associated with a higher prevalence of hyperglycemia (PR 1.04, 95%CI 1.02–1.07, p = 0.001) and high WHtR (PR 1.04, 95%CI 1.01–1, 08, p = 0.015). These findings allow us to conclude that BIF fecal abundance is related to dietary and anthropometric parameters in schoolchildren, and its increase is associated with positive metabolic outcomes.