European Nutritional Guidelines for the Management of Childhood Obesity: The Role of Personalised Nutrition

Nutritional guidelines for managing obesity in children traditionally focus on limiting calorie intake, increasing physical activity, and promoting consumption of whole, unprocessed foods. However, recent scientific advances emphasise the critical role of the gut microbiota in regulating weight and metabolism, suggesting that nutritional interventions should also consider the diet’s impact on gut microbial composition and function. The gut microbiota, an intricate ecosystem of microorganisms and their interactions, is one of science’s most complex microbial communities. disorders, our understanding of the gut microbiome’s role in metabolic health has primarily focused on quantifying changes in specific microbial groups, overlooking intricate interactions between species. To date, only a limited number of studies have explored precision nutrition approaches that integrate genetic profiles, microbiome composition, and physiological parameters to tailor dietary plans. Current nutritional guidelines for childhood obesity overlook critical aspects related to the gut microbiome, such as the influence of specific dietary components on microbial diversity, the potential of probiotics and prebiotics to modulate the gut microbiota, and the need for personalised microbiome analysis to account for individual variations in composition. Incorporating gut microbiota considerations into nutritional guidelines for childhood obesity promises a more comprehensive and effective approach to weight management, promoting longterm health and well-being.