Citizen science helps to raise awareness about gut microbiome health in people at risk of developing non-communicable diseases
ABSTRACTCitizens lack knowledge about the impact of gut microbiota on health and how lifestyle and dietary choices can influence it, leading to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and affecting overall well-being. Participatory action research (PAR) is a promising approach to enhance communication and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Gut Microbes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19490976.2023.2241207 |
| _version_ | 1797236669640867840 |
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| author | Silvia Garcia Sheyla Ordoñez Victor Manuel López-Molina Blanca Lacruz-Pleguezuelos Enrique Carrillo de Santa Pau Laura Judith Marcos-Zambrano |
| author_facet | Silvia Garcia Sheyla Ordoñez Victor Manuel López-Molina Blanca Lacruz-Pleguezuelos Enrique Carrillo de Santa Pau Laura Judith Marcos-Zambrano |
| author_sort | Silvia Garcia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACTCitizens lack knowledge about the impact of gut microbiota on health and how lifestyle and dietary choices can influence it, leading to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and affecting overall well-being. Participatory action research (PAR) is a promising approach to enhance communication and encourage individuals to adopt healthier behaviors and improve their health. In this study, we explored the feasibility of integrating the photovoice method with citizen science approaches to assess the impact of social and environmental factors on gut microbiota health. In this context, citizen science approaches entailed the involvement of participants in the collection of samples for subsequent analysis, specifically gut microbiome assessment via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We recruited 70 volunteers and organized six photovoice groups based on age and educational background. Participants selected 64 photographs that represented the influence of daily habits on gut microbiota health and created four photovoice themes. Analysis of the gut microbiome using 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified 474 taxa, and in-depth microbial analysis revealed three clusters of people based on gut microbiome diversity and body mass index (BMI). Our findings indicate that participants enhanced their knowledge of gut microbiome health through PAR activities, and we found a correlation between lower microbial diversity, higher BMI, and better achievement of learning outcomes. Using PAR as a methodology is an effective way to increase citizens’ awareness and engagement in self-care, maintain healthy gut microbiota, and prevent NCD development. These interventions are particularly beneficial for individuals at higher risk of developing NCDs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T14:20:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9f8ed9c63f444607a639e2250d46bad5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1949-0976 1949-0984 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:07:32Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gut Microbes |
| spelling | doaj.art-9f8ed9c63f444607a639e2250d46bad52024-03-28T22:38:20ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGut Microbes1949-09761949-09842023-12-0115110.1080/19490976.2023.2241207Citizen science helps to raise awareness about gut microbiome health in people at risk of developing non-communicable diseasesSilvia Garcia0Sheyla Ordoñez1Victor Manuel López-Molina2Blanca Lacruz-Pleguezuelos3Enrique Carrillo de Santa PauLaura Judith Marcos-Zambrano4Computational Biology Group, Precision Nutrition and Cancer Research Program, IMDEA Food Institute, Madrid, SpainComputational Biology Group, Precision Nutrition and Cancer Research Program, IMDEA Food Institute, Madrid, SpainComputational Biology Group, Precision Nutrition and Cancer Research Program, IMDEA Food Institute, Madrid, SpainComputational Biology Group, Precision Nutrition and Cancer Research Program, IMDEA Food Institute, Madrid, SpainComputational Biology Group, Precision Nutrition and Cancer Research Program, IMDEA Food Institute, Madrid, SpainABSTRACTCitizens lack knowledge about the impact of gut microbiota on health and how lifestyle and dietary choices can influence it, leading to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and affecting overall well-being. Participatory action research (PAR) is a promising approach to enhance communication and encourage individuals to adopt healthier behaviors and improve their health. In this study, we explored the feasibility of integrating the photovoice method with citizen science approaches to assess the impact of social and environmental factors on gut microbiota health. In this context, citizen science approaches entailed the involvement of participants in the collection of samples for subsequent analysis, specifically gut microbiome assessment via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We recruited 70 volunteers and organized six photovoice groups based on age and educational background. Participants selected 64 photographs that represented the influence of daily habits on gut microbiota health and created four photovoice themes. Analysis of the gut microbiome using 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified 474 taxa, and in-depth microbial analysis revealed three clusters of people based on gut microbiome diversity and body mass index (BMI). Our findings indicate that participants enhanced their knowledge of gut microbiome health through PAR activities, and we found a correlation between lower microbial diversity, higher BMI, and better achievement of learning outcomes. Using PAR as a methodology is an effective way to increase citizens’ awareness and engagement in self-care, maintain healthy gut microbiota, and prevent NCD development. These interventions are particularly beneficial for individuals at higher risk of developing NCDs.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19490976.2023.224120716S rRNA gene sequencingco-occurrence networkskeystone taxaparticipatory action researchcitizen sciencemicrobiota |
| spellingShingle | Silvia Garcia Sheyla Ordoñez Victor Manuel López-Molina Blanca Lacruz-Pleguezuelos Enrique Carrillo de Santa Pau Laura Judith Marcos-Zambrano Citizen science helps to raise awareness about gut microbiome health in people at risk of developing non-communicable diseases Gut Microbes 16S rRNA gene sequencing co-occurrence networks keystone taxa participatory action research citizen science microbiota |
| title | Citizen science helps to raise awareness about gut microbiome health in people at risk of developing non-communicable diseases |
| title_full | Citizen science helps to raise awareness about gut microbiome health in people at risk of developing non-communicable diseases |
| title_fullStr | Citizen science helps to raise awareness about gut microbiome health in people at risk of developing non-communicable diseases |
| title_full_unstemmed | Citizen science helps to raise awareness about gut microbiome health in people at risk of developing non-communicable diseases |
| title_short | Citizen science helps to raise awareness about gut microbiome health in people at risk of developing non-communicable diseases |
| title_sort | citizen science helps to raise awareness about gut microbiome health in people at risk of developing non communicable diseases |
| topic | 16S rRNA gene sequencing co-occurrence networks keystone taxa participatory action research citizen science microbiota |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19490976.2023.2241207 |
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