Association of a westernized diet and obesity with the gut microbiome profiles among school-aged children in rural and urban communities in Leyte, Philippines
Abstract
The gut microbiome is home to trillions of microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses, that coexist harmoniously in healthy individuals. However, disruptions to this balance, such as dietary changes, can lead to dysbiosis, affecting normal gut functions. With the recent urbanization of the Philippine countryside, western diets are becoming increasingly common and may alter the gut microbiome, predisposing even children to metabolic disorders. Hence, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association of a westernized diet with the gut microbiome profiles of school-aged children in rural and urban communities in Leyte, Philippines and assess their association with childhood obesity. Based on interviews, physical examinations, and dietary questionnaires, similar anthropometric traits were observed among the participants. Macronutrient analysis revealed that urban children consumed more fats and had higher total energy intakes, revealing a more westernized type of diet, while rural children had higher carbohydrate and fiber-rich intakes. This dietary contrast significantly influences the gut microbiome profile, with rural children having greater microbial diversity and higher levels of fiber-fermenting bacteria from the Prevotellaceae family, whereas urban children harbored more Bacteroides and Ligilactobacillus ruminis. Correlation analysis linked fat-rich diets with reduced abundances of fiber-fermenting bacteria, such as Succinivibrio and Segatella. Participants were also sub-grouped based on their BMI-for-age classification. The urban overweight-obese group exhibited a higher intake of dietary fats and a distinct microbiome profile characterized by taxa previously reported in obesity-associated gut communities. These findings suggest emerging risks for the gut health of Filipino children undergoing nutrition transition and may offer insights for shaping future nutrition initiatives that support their well-being.
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BibTeX
@article{dagalea2026association,
title = {{Association of a westernized diet and obesity with the gut microbiome profiles among school-aged children in rural and urban communities in Leyte, Philippines}},
author = {Flyndon Mark S. DAGALEA and Donna Christene Q. RAMOS and Nurlisa Mohd AZMIL and Leslie Michelle M. DALMACIO and Jiro NAKAYAMA},
journal = {Bioscience of Microbiota, Food and Health},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.12938/bmfh.2026-002},
url = {https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bmfh/advpub/0/advpub_2026-002/_article},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Association of a westernized diet and obesity with the gut microbiome profiles among school-aged children in rural and urban communities in Leyte, Philippines
AU - Flyndon Mark S. DAGALEA
AU - Donna Christene Q. RAMOS
AU - Nurlisa Mohd AZMIL
AU - Leslie Michelle M. DALMACIO
AU - Jiro NAKAYAMA
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/09
JO - Bioscience of Microbiota, Food and Health
DO - 10.12938/bmfh.2026-002
UR - https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bmfh/advpub/0/advpub_2026-002/_article
AB - The gut microbiome is home to trillions of microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses, that coexist harmoniously in healthy individuals. However, disruptions to this balance, such as dietary changes, can lead to dysbiosis, affecting normal gut functions. With the recent urbanization of the Philippine countryside, western diets are becoming increasingly common and may alter the gut microbiome, predisposing even children to metabolic disorders. Hence, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association of a westernized diet with the gut microbiome profiles of school-aged children in rural and urban communities in Leyte, Philippines and assess their association with childhood obesity. Based on interviews, physical examinations, and dietary questionnaires, similar anthropometric traits were observed among the participants. Macronutrient analysis revealed that urban children consumed more fats and had higher total energy intakes, revealing a more westernized type of diet, while rural children had higher carbohydrate and fiber-rich intakes. This dietary contrast significantly influences the gut microbiome profile, with rural children having greater microbial diversity and higher levels of fiber-fermenting bacteria from the Prevotellaceae family, whereas urban children harbored more Bacteroides and Ligilactobacillus ruminis. Correlation analysis linked fat-rich diets with reduced abundances of fiber-fermenting bacteria, such as Succinivibrio and Segatella. Participants were also sub-grouped based on their BMI-for-age classification. The urban overweight-obese group exhibited a higher intake of dietary fats and a distinct microbiome profile characterized by taxa previously reported in obesity-associated gut communities. These findings suggest emerging risks for the gut health of Filipino children undergoing nutrition transition and may offer insights for shaping future nutrition initiatives that support their well-being.
SN - 2186-3342
ER -