Obesity and the gut microbiota in the Middle East: a cross-cultural study of Lebanese and Emirati adults
Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
Beneficial Microbes
Publication Date
2-18-2026
Abstract
Obesity is a growing public health concern in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, yet limited research has explored how gut microbiota varies between Arab populations. This study compared the gut microbiota composition and diversity of Emirati and Lebanese adults with obesity and assessed the role of age and nationality in shaping microbial variation. A total of 43 Emirati and 30 Lebanese individuals with obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m2) were recruited. Participants provided anthropometric and biochemical data, dietary records, and stool samples for 16S rRNA sequencing. The analysis revealed significantly higher BMI, weight, and fat mass in Emirati participants, while Lebanese individuals reported higher fibre intake. Taxonomic profiling showed higher relative abundances of Pseudomonadota, Mycoplasmatota, Cyanobacteriota, and Lentisphaerota in the Lebanese group, whereas Bacteroidota was more abundant among Emiratis. Lebanese participants also exhibited significantly greater microbial alpha-diversity. Beta-diversity analysis confirmed clear distinctions in microbial community structure between the two groups. Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LefSe) (LDA score >10log2) and regression models (P < 0.05) identified specific bacterial genera associated with nationality, although these associations were attenuated after adjusting for age. These findings suggest that gut microbiota in Arab populations is influenced by demographic, dietary, and environmental factors, emphasising the need for culturally tailored microbiota-based strategies to manage obesity and related metabolic conditions.
DOI Link
ISSN
Publisher
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Keywords
16S rRNA, anthropometrics, ethnicity, gut microbiota, microbial diversity
Scopus ID
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Ali Ahmad, M.; Abou-Samra, M.; Blaak, E.; Karavetian, M.; Ayoub Moubareck, C.; and Venema, K., "Obesity and the gut microbiota in the Middle East: a cross-cultural study of Lebanese and Emirati adults" (2026). All Works. 7896.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/7896
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
yes
Open Access Type
Hybrid: This publication is openly available in a subscription-based journal/series