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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Obesity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 December 2025) | Viewed by 37550

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Dr. Jose M. Miranda

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Food Hygiene, Inspection and Control Laboratory, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Lugo, University Campus, Lugo, Spain
Interests: microbioma; viroma; functional foods; human nutrition; gut microbiota; metabolomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, human gut microbiota has been shown to be a key agent in the prevention and development of numerous metabolic pathologies, including obesity. Although obesity is a complex and multifactorial pathology, the different environmental factors capable of influencing host metabolism and energy balance are considered key players, and gut microbiota can effect them. Gut microbiota exerts a miscellany of protective, structural, and metabolic effects on both intestinal and peripheral tissues, thus affecting body weight by modulating metabolism, appetite, as well as hormonal and immune systems.

However, the precise impact of gut microbiota on gut metabolites and its subsequent influence on susceptibility to obesity remains uncertain. In fact, most of the research carried out has focused mainly on investigating the effects on human health of the different proportions and functionality of bacterial groups. In contrast, the effects of fungi, viruses, archaea, and other members of intestinal populations have been studied much less frequently.

In this Special Issue of Nutrients, we extend an invite to the scientific community to submit their latest advances in the knowledge of the complex interactions between gut microbiota and obesity. Manuscripts describing the effects of bioactive compounds, food ingredients, contaminants, or any environmental element on the different microbial populations in the human gut are welcome. Also, the effects of eubiosis altering agents, as well as dysbiosis correcting agents, such as prebiotics, probiotics, symbiotics, or postbiotics, are of great interest for this Special Issue.

Research articles and reviews focused on the following topics are of particular interest to this Special Issue:

-Gut microbiota proportions and functionality.
-Mechanism through which the gut microbiota influences human weight and health.
-Food components (macro- and micronutrients) that can alter, both beneficially and detrimentally, human intestinal microbiota.
-Restoration of eubiosis by means of prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, phages, or other external agents.
-Relationship mechanisms between the different communities of microorganisms in the human intestine.
-Use of human intestinal microbiota in the maintenance of human health and prevention of obesity.
-Effects of gut microbiota metabolites on the development of obesity.

Prof. Dr. Jose M. Miranda
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

gut microbiota
prebiotic
probiotic
symbiotic
postbiotic
metabolic diseases
gut virome
gut mycobiome
bioactive compounds
gut metabolites

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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34 pages, 4445 KB

Open AccessArticle

Varietal Differences in Kidney Beans Modulate Gut Microbiota and Inflammation During High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Male Mice

by Alexane F. Rodrigue, Bruna B. Pereira, Giorgio Freije, Allison Sweet, Laili Mahmoudian, Mahmoud Aly, Salma Mahmoodianfard, Lalit Kishore, Marie-Claude Audet, Marcos F. Minicucci, K. Peter Pauls and Krista A. Power

Nutrients 2026, 18(3), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18030461 - 30 Jan 2026

Viewed by 984

Abstract

Background: Obesity-associated inflammation arises from adipose dysfunction and intestinal disturbances, including altered microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are rich in non-digestible carbohydrates and polyphenols, but whether kidney bean varieties differing in seed coat colour exert distinct effects on inflammation in obesity remains unclear. Objective: To determine whether supplementation of an obesogenic high-fat (HF) diet with white or dark red kidney beans modulates gut microbiota, SCFAs, and intestinal, systemic, and neuroinflammatory outcomes. Methods: Male C57Bl/6N mice (n = 12/group) were fed a basal diet (BD; modified AIN-93G), an HF diet (60% kcal from fat), or an HF diet supplemented with 15% cooked white (HF + WK) or dark red kidney beans (HF + DK) for nine weeks. Outcomes included cecal microbiota composition, predicted KEGG pathways with taxon contributors mapped with BURRITO (a tool for linking predicted microbial functions to contributing taxa), and SCFA-related pathways; cecal and fecal SCFA concentrations; colon histomorphometry and expression of gut barrier junction and inflammatory genes; serum cytokines and adipose hormones; and hippocampal inflammatory and barrier genes. Results: Mice consuming bean-supplemented HF diets had higher microbial diversity, enrichment of SCFA-producing taxa (Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Muribaculaceae), and lower obesity-associated genera versus HF alone (Mucispirillum, rc4-4). Bean diets elevated cecal acetate and butyrate concentrations, which aligned with increases in predicted acetate kinase in both bean groups versus HF and BD, and butyrate kinase in HF + DK versus BD. Bean supplementation attenuated HF-induced reduction of goblet cells and systemic interleukin (IL)-10. The HF + DK group had lower colonic tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and partially attenuated hippocampal IL-6. SCFAs were inversely associated with systemic and neuroinflammatory markers in HF + DK mice. Conclusions: Kidney bean supplementation mitigated HF diet-induced intestinal, systemic, and neuroinflammatory disturbances in male mice, with microbiota and SCFA modulation. Further, dark red beans exerted stronger anti-inflammatory effects, highlighting the role of seed coat colour in bean-mediated obesity outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Obesity)

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20 pages, 4749 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Gut Microbiome Obesity Index: A New Analytical Tool in the Metagenomics Workflow for the Evaluation of Gut Dysbiosis in Obese Humans

by Maria Kulecka, Paweł Jaworski, Natalia Zeber-Lubecka, Aneta Bałabas, Magdalena Piątkowska, Paweł Czarnowski, Barbara Frączek, Wiesław Tarnowski, Michał Mikula and Jerzy Ostrowski

Nutrients 2025, 17(14), 2320; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17142320 - 14 Jul 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2296

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Our aim was to create a new method for analyzing metagenomics data, named the gut microbiome obesity index, using a set of taxa/biological functions that correlated with BMI. Methods: A total of 109 obese patients (73 women and 36 men, median BMI 43.0 kg/m²), 87 healthy control (HC) individuals (39 females and 48 males, median BMI 22.7 kg/m²), and 109 esports players (five females and 104 males, median BMI 23.0 kg/m²) were included in the study. To conduct metagenomic and metabolomic analyses, DNA and selected metabolites were isolated from fecal samples and used for whole-genome shotgun sequencing and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, respectively. Results: Compared with HCs and esports players, obese patients with a BMI > 40 kg/m² had a significantly higher alpha diversity, as analyzed by the Shannon index, and significant dissimilarities in beta diversity. Both richness and diversity measures were correlated with BMI. Compared with HCs and esports players, 12 differential bacteria were found in the overall obesity group and 42 were found in those with a BMI > 40 kg/m². Most of the altered species belonged to the Lachnospiraceae family. When the logarithmic relationship of the sums of the bacteria correlated with BMI was calculated to establish a taxonomic health index, it better differentiated between the obesity groups than a standard analytical pipeline; however, it did not differentiate between the HC and the BMI < 35 kg/m² obesity group. Therefore, we created a functional index based on BMI-associated biological pathways, which differentiated between all obesity groups. Conclusions: Of the obesity indices used to distinguish between healthy and obese microbiota analyzed in this study, a function-based index was more useful than a taxonomy-based index. We believe that gut microbiome indexes could be useful as part of routine metagenomics evaluations. However, an index developed in one geographical area might not be applicable to individuals in a different region and, therefore, further studies should develop separate indices for different populations or geographical regions rather than relying on a single index. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Obesity)

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18 pages, 2067 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Association Between Prevotella copri and Advanced Fibrosis in the Progression of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

by David Zhang, Madelaine Leitman, Shrey Pawar, Simer Shera, Laura Hernandez, Jonathan P. Jacobs and Tien S. Dong

Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2145; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132145 - 27 Jun 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2056

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), driven by obesity and metabolic syndrome, is increasingly prevalent and a significant contributor to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver-related mortality. Emerging research implicates the gut microbiome as a critical player in MASLD progression, yet specific microbial drivers remain poorly understood. Here, we explore the role of Prevotella copri (P. copri) in MASLD progression through both human patient cohorts and a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Methods/Results: Using 16S rRNA sequencing, we identified elevated P. copri abundance in MASLD patients with advanced fibrosis, linked with significant shifts in microbial diversity and bacterial network connectivity. To investigate causality, experimental colonization of P. copri in mice on a high-fat diet worsened MASLD progression, with P. copri-colonized mice showing significant increases in hepatic steatosis, liver triglyceride accumulation, and body weight, independent of caloric intake. At the molecular level, P. copri colonization downregulated key lipid metabolism genes, such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 and adipose triglyceride lipase, and impaired tight intestinal junction integrity through the downregulation of occludin. Collectively, our findings position P. copri as a possible driver of MASLD progression by promoting hepatic steatosis through lipid and triglyceride accumulation and fibrosis through decreased tight junction integrity. These insights suggest a promising therapeutic avenue to target specific microbial signatures like P. copri to curb MASLD progression and mitigate the associated risk of advanced fibrosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Obesity)

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19 pages, 840 KB

Open AccessArticle

Modulation of Gut Microbiota by Whole Encapsulated Brown Seaweed (Himanthalia elongata) in Overweight Subjects: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

by Aroa Lopez-Santamarina, Alejandra Cardelle-Cobas, Alicia del Carmen Mondragon, Alberto Cepeda, Jose A. Rodriguez and Jose Manuel Miranda

Nutrients 2025, 17(12), 2047; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17122047 - 19 Jun 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2316

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Brown seaweeds, such as Himanthalia elongata, are a promising source of dietary fiber. However, in vivo evidence regarding the effects of H. elongata intake on the human gut microbiota remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of daily H. elongata consumption on the gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid production in overweight adults. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in which 10 overweight adult participants consumed 2 g/day of whole H. elongata for 30 days. Fecal samples were collected before and after the intervention for 16S rRNA sequencing and short-chain fatty acid analysis. Dietary intake was evaluated using a 24 h recall and a 3-day dietary record. Nutritional assessment was performed to determine habitual macronutrient consumption. Results: Baseline dietary analysis revealed an imbalanced macronutrient profile characterized by high intakes of total and saturated fats and protein, along with low carbohydrate and fiber consumption. In addition, 50% of the participants were obese, and 50% were overweight based on the BMI. Notable changes in the gut microbiota composition were observed after the intervention, including increases in short-chain fatty acid-producing species, such as Parabacteroides distasonis, Bacteroides eggerthii, Bacteroides uniformis, and Bacteroides obeum. Conclusions: This study provides the first clinical evidence in humans that whole H. elongata can beneficially modulate the gut microbiota composition. These results support the potential use of this seaweed as a functional prebiotic ingredient in dietary strategies aimed at enhancing gut health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Obesity)

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15 pages, 1250 KB

Open AccessArticle

A 12-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Lactobacillus plantarum LMT1-48 on Body Fat Loss

by Sung-Bum Lee, Byungwook Yoo, Chaemin Baeg, Jiae Yun, Dong-wook Ryu, Gyungcheon Kim, Seongok Kim, Hakdong Shin and Ju Hee Lee

Nutrients 2025, 17(7), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071191 - 28 Mar 2025

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 11590

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotics for body fat reduction in obese individuals. Methods: A total of 106 participants with a body mass index between 25 and 30 kg/m² were randomly assigned to either the experimental group treating with Lactobacillus plantarum LMT1-48 or the placebo group in the placebo-controlled clinical trial. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography. Fecal samples between the groups were contrasted via DNA sequencing for evaluation of the microbiota and its diversity. Results: After 12 weeks of follow-up period, the body fat mass decreased significantly, from 30.0 ± 4.4 to 28.3 ± 4.1 kg in the experimental group (p = 0.009). The percentage of body fat in the two groups showed a similar trend (p = 0.004). Conclusions: LMT1-48 also positively influenced the microbial taxa linked to obesity analyzed by gut microbiome sequencing. LMT1-48 is a safe and collaborative agent to reduce obesity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Obesity)

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19 pages, 3729 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Fatty Acid Composition Alters Gut Microbiome in Mice with Obesity-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

by Mohamed H. Noureldein, Amy E. Rumora, Samuel J. Teener, Diana M. Rigan, John M. Hayes, Faye E. Mendelson, Andrew D. Carter, Whitney G. Rubin, Masha G. Savelieff and Eva L. Feldman

Nutrients 2025, 17(4), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040737 - 19 Feb 2025

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2675

Abstract

Background: Peripheral neuropathy (PN), a complication of diabetes and obesity, progresses through a complex pathophysiology. Lifestyle interventions to manage systemic metabolism are recommended to prevent or slow PN, given the multifactorial risks of diabetes and obesity. A high-fat diet rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) induces PN, which a diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) rescues, independent of weight loss, suggesting factors beyond systemic metabolism impact nerve health. Interest has grown in gut microbiome mechanisms in PN, which is characterized by a distinct microbiota signature that correlates with sciatic nerve lipidome. Methods: Herein, we postulated that SFA- versus MUFA-rich diet would impact gut microbiome composition and correlate with PN development. To assess causality, we performed fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from donor mice fed SFA- versus MUFA-rich diet to lean recipient mice and assessed metabolic and PN phenotypes. Results: We found that the SFA-rich diet altered the microbiome community structure, which the MUFA-rich diet partially reversed. PN metrics correlated with several microbial families, some containing genera with feasible mechanisms of action for microbiome-mediated effects on PN. SFA and MUFA FMT did not impact metabolic phenotypes in recipient mice although SFA FMT marginally induced motor PN. Conclusions: The involvement of diet-mediated changes in the microbiome on PN and gut–nerve axis may warrant further study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Obesity)

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13 pages, 2415 KB

Open AccessArticle

Gut Microbiota Modulates Fgf21 Expression and Metabolic Phenotypes Induced by Ketogenic Diet

by Xinyi Wei, Yunxu Lu and Shangyu Hong

Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 4028; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234028 - 25 Nov 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3485

Abstract

Background: The ketogenic diet (KD) is a widely used intervention for obesity and diabetes, effectively reducing body weight and blood glucose levels. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the KD influences body weight and glucose metabolism are not fully understood. While previous research has shown that the KD affects the gut microbiota, the exact role of microbiota in mediating its metabolic effects remains unclear. Methods: In this study, we used antibiotics to eliminate the gut microbiota, confirming its necessity for the KD’s impact on weight loss and glucose metabolism. We also demonstrated the significant role of FGF21 in these processes, through antibiotics intervention in Fgf21-deficient mice. Results: Furthermore, we revealed that the KD alters serum valine levels via the gut microbiota, which in turn regulates hepatic Fgf21 expression and circulating FGF21 levels through the GCN2-eIF2α-ATF5 signaling pathway. Additionally, we demonstrated that valine supplementation inhibits the elevated expression of FGF21, leading to the reduced body weight and improved glucose metabolism of the KD-fed mice. Overall, we found that the gut microbiota from the KD regulates Fgf21 transcription via the GCN2-eIF2α-ATF5 signaling pathway. ultimately affecting body weight and glucose metabolism. Conclusion: Our findings highlight a complex regulatory network linking the KD, Fgf21 expression, and gut microbiota, offering a theoretical foundation for targeted therapies to enhance the metabolic benefits of the KD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Obesity)

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Review

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29 pages, 1924 KB

Open AccessReview

Marine-Algal-Derived Postbiotics Modulating the Gut Microbiota–Adipose Tissue Axis in Obesity: A New Frontier

by Edward Kurnia Setiawan Limijadi, Kevin Christian Tjandra, Happy Kurnia Permatasari, Piko Satria Augusta, Reggie Surya, Dante Saksono Harbuwono and Fahrul Nurkolis

Nutrients 2025, 17(23), 3774; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17233774 - 30 Nov 2025

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1926

Abstract

Background: Obesity is increasingly recognized as a metabolic disorder driven by gut microbiota dysbiosis and chronic low-grade inflammation within adipose tissue. Emerging evidence highlights the gut–adipose tissue axis as a critical mediator of energy balance and metabolic regulation. Marine algae—rich in polysaccharides, polyphenols, and carotenoids—offer bioactive compounds that modulate gut microbial composition and generate beneficial metabolites termed “postbiotics.” Objective: This review aims to comprehensively summarize current advances in understanding how marine-algal-derived postbiotics influence the gut microbiota–adipose tissue axis and contribute to obesity prevention and management. Methods: A structured literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink for studies published between 2015 and October 2025. Eligible studies included in vitro, in vivo, and human trials examining the effects of marine-algal compounds on gut microbiota composition, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, adipose inflammation, and metabolic outcomes. Results: Marine-algal polysaccharides (fucoidan, alginate, laminarin, carrageenan, and ulvan) act as fermentable fibers that enhance SCFA production and enrich beneficial taxa such as Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroides, while reducing endotoxin-producing bacteria. Polyphenols and carotenoids (fucoxanthin, phlorotannins, astaxanthin) directly target adipogenesis, oxidative stress, and adipose browning. Animal studies consistently demonstrate reduced body weight, improved insulin sensitivity, and decreased inflammation following algae supplementation. Human trials—though limited—confirm safety and show microbiota modulation with modest weight loss. Conclusions: Marine-algal-derived postbiotics represent a promising, natural, and sustainable strategy to target the gut microbiota–adipose tissue axis in obesity. They offer multi-targeted mechanisms through microbial and host pathways, supporting their integration into functional food and nutraceutical development. Further clinical research and regulatory standardization are warranted to translate these findings into evidence-based interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Obesity)

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25 pages, 1559 KB

Open AccessReview

Obesity and Diabetes in Mexico: An Approach to the Intestinal Microbiota

by Ruth Michelle Acosta-Meneses, Esther Ramírez-Moreno, Laura Berenice Olvera-Rosales, Alejandra Cardelle-Cobas, Zuli Guadalupe Calderón-Ramos, Gabriela Mariana Rodríguez-Serrano, Carlos Manuel Franco-Abuín, Alberto Cepeda-Saéz, Luis Guillermo González-Olivares and Alicia del Carmen Mondragón-Portocarrero

Nutrients 2025, 17(23), 3661; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17233661 - 23 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2081

Abstract

Obesity and diabetes have reached alarming prevalence rates globally, with Mexico being one of the most affected countries. This review explores the epidemiology of these metabolic disorders and analyzes their prevalence and risk factors, as well as the crucial role of the intestinal microbiota in their development. Obesity and diabetes in Mexico have been linked to lifestyle factors, genetic predispositions, and alterations in the gut microbial composition. The intestinal microbiota plays a significant role in metabolic regulation, and its dysbiosis has been associated with insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and increased fat accumulation. Studies in Mexico have highlighted specific microbial patterns in individuals with obesity and diabetes, suggesting a unique interplay between diet, microbiota composition, and metabolic health. Strategies to restore microbial balance, such as dietary modifications and probiotic interventions, have shown promising results in improving metabolic parameters and reducing disease progression. However, challenges remain in understanding the long-term effects of microbiota-targeted therapies and their individual variability. This review underscores the need for further research to develop personalized interventions aimed at modulating the gut microbiota for obesity and diabetes management. Future directions should focus on integrative approaches combining nutrition, prebiotics, and microbiome-based therapeutics to combat the increasing burden of metabolic diseases in Mexico. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Obesity)

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21 pages, 581 KB

Open AccessReview

The Gut Microbiome as a Key Determinant of the Heritability of Body Mass Index

by Thomas M. Barber, Stefan Kabisch, Andreas F. H. Pfeiffer and Martin O. Weickert

Nutrients 2025, 17(10), 1713; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17101713 - 18 May 2025

Viewed by 2930

Abstract

The pathogenesis of obesity is complex and incompletely understood, with an underlying interplay between our genetic architecture and obesogenic environment. The public understanding of the development of obesity is shrouded in myths with widespread societal misconceptions. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a highly heritable trait. However, despite reports from recent genome-wide association studies, only a small proportion of the overall heritability of BMI is known to be lurking within the human genome. Other non-genetic heritable traits may contribute to BMI. The gut microbiome is an excellent candidate, implicating complex interlinks with hypothalamic control of appetite and metabolism via entero-endocrine, autonomic, and neuro-humeral pathways. The neonatal gut microbiome derived from the mother via transgenerational transmission (vaginal delivery and breastfeeding) tends to have a permanence within the gut. Conversely, non-maternally derived gut microbiota manifest mutability that responds to changes in lifestyle and diet. We should all strive to optimize our lifestyles and ensure a diet that is replete with varied and unprocessed plant-based foods to establish and nurture a healthy gut microbiome. Women of reproductive age should optimize their gut microbiome, particularly pre-conception, ante- and postnatally to enable the establishment of a healthy neonatal gut microbiome in their offspring. Finally, we should redouble our efforts to educate the populace on the pathogenesis of obesity, and the role of heritable (but modifiable) factors such as the gut microbiome. Such renewed understanding and insights would help to promote the widespread adoption of healthy lifestyles and diets, and facilitate a transition from our current dispassionate and stigmatized societal approach towards people living with obesity towards one that is epitomized by understanding, support, and compassion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Obesity)

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22 pages, 799 KB

Open AccessReview

Racial–Ethnic Disparities of Obesity Require Community Context-Specific Biomedical Research for Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders

by Riley K. Wells, Amada Torres, Marjorie K. Mau and Alika K. Maunakea

Nutrients 2024, 16(24), 4268; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16244268 - 11 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3871

Abstract

Compared to the general population of Hawai‘i, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders (NHPI) shoulder a disproportionately high risk for obesity-related cardiometabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The gut microbiome is an area of rapid research interest for its role in regulating adjacent metabolic pathways, offering novel opportunities to better understand the etiology of these health disparities. Obesity and the gut microbiome are influenced by regional, racial–ethnic, and community-specific factors, limiting the generalizability of current literature for understudied populations. Additionally, anthropometric and directly measured obesity indices are variably predictive of adiposity and metabolic health risk in this diverse population. Thus, further NHPI-inclusive research is required to adequately characterize community-specific factors in the context of obesity-related disease etiology. Culturally responsible research ethics and scientific communication are crucial to conducting such research, especially among indigenous and understudied populations. In this review, we explore these limitations in current literature, emphasizing the urgent need for NHPI-inclusive research to assess community-specific factors accurately. Such accuracy in Indigenous health research may ensure that findings relevant to individual or public health recommendations and/or policies are meaningful to the communities such research aims to serve. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Obesity)

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