Scientific thinking: what roles do diet and the microbial community in the intestines play in obesity?

Studies showed that a person’s diet and their gut microbes interact and affect obesity. There is a difference between the gut microbes of a lean person and an obese person. An obese person has less-diverse microbial communities, compared to a lean person. However, a person’s gut microbes depend on his/her diet. Having a healthy diet (high in fiber, low in saturated fats) produces and encourages more lean gut microbes, which means that this can prevent or lessen obesity.

The microbial community has role in digesting certain food which is not possible in the absence of microorganism in the intestines. By this food (fat) accumulate in the body and leads to obesity.

Further Explanation:

Microorganisms are mainly present in our digestive tract. They are helpful in digesting the food molecule. These microorganisms have their own preference over the food. They metabolize different kind of food molecule and release their by product in the intestine. These by-products can easily be absorbed by body.

Obesity is a kind of a disease that mainly involves accumulation of high amount of fat inside the body. It is a medical problem which increases the risk of heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other diseases  

Scientist discovered that increased amount of nutrients such as sodium, trans-fat, saturated fat, or cholesterol in the diet might elevate the risk of heart diseases, high blood pressure, and cancer. They are not easily digested by our body and accumulate in the body. Therefore, these nutrients need to be controlled in the diet.

Learn more:

1. Learn more about carbohydrate monomer

2. Learn more about core muscle stabilization

3. Learn more about energy storage

Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Biology

Topic: Obesity

Keywords:

Obesity, body, diet, health, by product, high amount, trans fat, cholesterol, saturated fat, sodium, intestine, micro-organism, food.