Another breakthrough in science just happened. A recent study published in the journal Gut revealed the link between antibiotics, acid-suppressing drugs, and obesity.
As posted by Independent, the study, which is led by Christopher M. Stark, Cade M. Nylund, Apryl Susi, Jill Emerick, shows children that were given antibiotics or acid suppressants earlier in their life, poses greater risks for becoming obese in the future.
The experts said, "We found that outpatient prescriptions for antibiotics and acid-suppressing medications within the first two years of life are associated with the development of early childhood obesity." They added, "This association became stronger with prescriptions for more than one type of microbiota-altering medication."
The said antibacterial medications, once used as a treatment for an infection in infants could alter the child's gut microbiota. This change in their gastrointestinal tract can distract the bacteria inside the gut, which can create a long-term effect on the child's metabolism, thus can result in weight gain, as posted by Inquirer.
Experts were successful with their study after they dig deep into medical records of more than 333,000 infants through the US Military Health System database from 2006 to 2013. The results of the study revealed that more than 72 percent of these babies were given antibacterial medication. When these infants reached the age of three about 14.1 percent of them, which is about 46, 993 children, gained weight more than their normal body mass index (BMI). Data reveals that among these children, about 9,628 of them have not received any acid suppressants or antibacterial medication in the past.
Dr. Max Davie, who is the officer for health promotion for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, shared since the research is more like an observational type, there were some important factors that should have taken into consideration that have been left for granted. According to him, factors such as the mother's weight and the exposure of the baby with pollution have a crucial link to obesity. The environment of the baby is important to be measured and must never be set aside to have a more accurate output.
Obesity is becoming a global problem nowadays since it is linked with the increased mortality rate of people all around the world. In fact in the UK alone, statistics show that one out of three children are overweight by the time they enter their secondary school. Given this reason, every new information that could help combat this problem is treasured. Davie added, "We therefore need to acknowledge these findings and would welcome further review."
