The Human Gut Microbiota–Obesity Axis: Unravelling Links and Therapeutic Potential

Obesity represents a complex metabolic disorder that has significant implications for public health. It is increasingly recognized that the human gut microbiota plays a critical role in modulating host energy balance, metabolism, and inflammation, all of which contribute to obesity. Despite vast advancements in research, the intricate dynamics between gut microbiota and obesity remain inadequately understood. Ongoing debates focus on the precise mechanisms through which microbial communities influence metabolic outcomes. Recent studies have started to unravel these interactions, suggesting that specific microbial taxa and metabolites could be potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets in addressing obesity.

This Research Topic aims to deepen the understanding of the gut microbiota-obesity axis by inviting original research, reviews, and perspectives that probe these complex interactions. Specific objectives include identifying key microbial players and metabolic pathways involved in obesity, assessing how factors such as diet, lifestyle, and genetics impact these microbial communities, and evaluating innovative microbiome-targeted interventions for obesity management. Hypotheses will be tested regarding the modulation of the gut microbiome as a therapeutic approach in obesity treatment and prevention.

To gather further insights into the complex interplay between gut microbiota and obesity, we welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Mechanistic insights into gut microbiota's influence on obesity
o Identification of key microbial taxa and metabolites linked to obesity
o Impact of dietary, lifestyle, and genetic factors on gut microbiota composition and function
o Evaluation of microbiome-targeted therapeutic interventions for obesity
o Omics approaches (genomics, epigenomics, metagenomics, metabolomics) and longitudinal studies examining the microbiota-obesity relationship

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: obesity, : gut microbiota, human health, metabolic syndrome, microbial metabolites, dietary interventions, microbiome therapy

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.