Diversity in the intestinal microbiota and the influence of delivery, dietary profile and nutritional status

Objective: This research aimed to evaluate the nutritional status and influence on the dietary profile in the gut microbiota, in an attempt to identify possible effects of grape juice consumption among school children aged 6-10. Design: Anthropometric parameters (weight, height, Body Mass Index, waist circumference, triceps, and subscapular skinfold) weremeasured at baseline. A Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was carried out to evaluate the dietary profile. Feces were analyzed by culture methods and the alpha diversity was determined by the Shannon Index. Participants: 36 volunteer school children aged 6 to 10 years from two different cities in the South of Brazil. Main outcome measure: Gut microbiota diversity according to anthropometric parameters, nutrition profile and delivery patterns. Analysis: For statistical analysis, t or u test and correlation were used through the statistical software SPSS® version 22.0. Results: The volunteers presented a eutrophic nutritional status, but 41.7% in the City 2 were overweight. There was a significant difference in the consumption of polyphenols (p<0.003), microbiotadiversity, breastfeeding, and delivery patterns by city. However, the dietary profile does not include the portions of daily nutrients recommended in both cities. The volunteers from City 1 presented a greater alpha diversity, which may be related to higher micronutrient intake, breastfeeding, and predominant natural/vaginal delivery. Conclusion: We observed that the normal delivery and the dietary profile seems to be important factors to the gut microbiota diversity in these children.