THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GUT MICROBIOTA AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF OBESITY: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the relationship between intestinal microbiota and the development of obesity, considering the influence of changes in microbial composition on metabolic, inflammatory, and energetic mechanisms related to body weight regulation. This is a descriptive literature review with a qualitative approach, conducted through a bibliographic survey in the Virtual Health Library (VHL). The descriptors “intestinal microbiota” and “obesity” were used and combined with the Boolean operator “AND”. Studies published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish between 2015 and 2025 were included. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 articles were selected for the final sample. The literature analyzed indicates that changes in the intestinal microbiota, characterized as dysbiosis, may be related to energy metabolism regulation, energy extraction from food, body fat storage, and systemic inflammation. The possible role of microbiota-modulating strategies, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary interventions, is also highlighted. It is concluded that the intestinal microbiota has an important relationship with mechanisms involved in the development of obesity and may represent a potential target for prevention and treatment strategies.