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Topical Area: Maternal, Perinatal and Pediatric Nutrition

Maternal, Perinatal and Pediatric Nutrition (I) (Poster Session)

(P07-030-23) The Impact of Feeding Modality and Weight Status on Short Chain Fatty Acids and Microbiome Profiles in Toddlers

Saturday, July 22, 2023
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET
Location: Poster Board 154
Disclosure(s):
Michelle E. Johnson, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Kristy L. Thomas, BS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
William A. Clark, PhD, RD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the impact of feeding modality and weight on short chain fatty acids and microbiome profiles in toddlers.

Methods: With IRB approval, participants were recruited during 24-48-month wellness appointments. Toddler stool samples, health, anthropometric, and feeding histories (Block Questionnaire for Ages 2-7) were collected.

Block data was analyzed by NutriQuest utilizing the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.

Fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were extracted and quantified using gas chromatography with flame ionization. Amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene (V4 region) was performed on Illumina technology to profile the fecal microbiome. Sequencing data were processed using QIIME2, and samples were rarefied to 26,770 reads for diversity analyses.

Associations between microbiome alpha diversity (Faith’s phylogenetic diversity) and participant data were calculated using multiple linear regression with a random effect for household and a fixed effect for dietary diversity. Beta diversity (weighted UniFrac) differences were assessed using PERMANOVA and Mantel tests.

Results: Sample: 16 males; 14 females, age ranged from 24-58 mo. Of these, 30% were breastfed, 23% formula-fed, and 47% were combination feeders. No significance was found in fecal SCFA profiles between obese and non-obese toddlers. One-way ANOVAs indicated significant differences in isobutyric, isovaleric, octanoic, and valeric SCFAs based on feeding modality.

Alpha diversity was associated with age (p = .016) but not weight (p= 0.73), birth modality (p= 0.75), or diet diversity (p = 0.84). Alpha diversity was also associated with feeding modality, and this relationship remained significant when controlling for diet diversity and age (p < 0.001). We did not detect differences in beta diversity based on any variables. Despite similar diet composition (FFQ) siblings did not have similar microbiome diversity.

Conclusions: These results provide a better understanding of the impact of feeding modality and household effect on young children’s SCFA and microbiome profiles, which may influence long-term health and development.

Funding Sources: ETSU RDC Major Grant; CCRHS Dean’s Research Enhancement Award