Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Microbiota in Obese ChiLdrEn : A Pilot Study (The DAMOCLE Study)

Abstract: Obesity is an inflammatory condition associated with metabolic alterations including insulin resistance. Recent researches suggested that gut microbiota plays a role in its pathogenesis. Obesity has been associated with lower bacterial diversity and higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (F/R ratio) compared to normal‐weight condition. The objective of our study was to determine the effect of 4 months algae DHA supplementation, combined with dietary and habits education, on gut microbiota composition and biochemical parameters of 12 caucasian obese children. Anthropometric measures, metabolic profile and gut microbiota analysis trough stool samples were assessed at baseline (t0), after 4 months DHA supplementation plus diet-lifestyle intervention (t1), and lastly after additional 4 months of dietary dietary-lifestyle intervention without DHA supplementation (t2). No significant improvement in dietary habits nor in metabolic profile was found after the intervention, while a significant lowering of F/R ratio was observed from t0 to t1 and even more evident at t2 control.