Bacteria are microorganisms that live around you. Not only outside your body, bacteria are also present inside your body. In general, bacteria contained in the body are good, since they have various functions in the body.

Intestinal bacteria are one of the bacteria that is often used as an object of research, since the intestines can also be the place for bad bacteria to develop. Because, not only good bacteria, intestines can also be a place for developing bad bacteria. Various studies have shown that there are several types of bacteria in the intestine that can increase the risk of disease, including obesity.

Most people think that obesity is only triggered by poor diet. In fact, based on the results of a review conducted by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center recently, diet is not the only factor that increase the risk of obesity. The experts found that the presence of intestinal bacteria is closely related to the risk of obesity, especially that which occurs in childhood. Not only related, these bacteria are one of the causes of obesity.

Based on the review published in the journal Obesity Reviews, interactions between intestinal bacteria and immune cells and fat tissue play an important role in the risk of obesity during childhood. This also relates to the condition of the mother during pregnancy. Several factors such as health history, diet, exercise level, birth method (normal / cesarean), and the mother's breastfeeding (exclusive / formula) can also influence the risk of obesity in her children.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Google Search Images

Source(s):

• Kincaid, H.J., Nagpal, R., and Yadav, H., et al (2019). Microbiome-immune-metabolic axis in the epidemic of childhood obesity: Evidence and opportunities. Obesity Reviews, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12963.
• Science Daily - Gut bacteria are a key factor in childhood obesity (2019). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191030132704.htm, 31 October 2019.