The Bacterial Composition of the Gut Microbiota of Mexicans with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review

The role of the gut microbiota in obesity has been extensively studied worldwide, but research in Mexican populations is still limited. This is particularly important given the high obesity rates in Mexico, despite a traditional diet rich in diverse, plant-based foods. We conducted a systematic review of studies examining the gut microbiota in obese Mexican children and adults. The literature search was conducted in the Medline, CINAHL, SciELO, Redalyc and Web of Science databases. The included studies addressed topics such as obesity in different Mexican subgroups (e.g., adults, children, rural communities), dietary behaviors and interventions, traditional dietary patterns, and gut microbiota composition. Of the 2332 datasets, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies indicated that obesity in Mexican individuals is associated with specific changes in the gut microbiota, including decreased bacterial diversity and shifts in the abundance of key microbial genera. Differences were found between age groups and regions. This review highlights a clear association between gut microbiota composition and obesity in the Mexican population. Further research is essential to investigate how the traditional Mexican diet may influence gut health and serve as a potential tool to treat obesity.