Background and Objective:

Obesity is related to a minor diversity and richness of the gut microbiota (GM). Physical activity (PA) is suggested as an important adjuvant in the control of obesity and increasing the GM diversity, while a sedentary lifestyle seems to be inversely associated with GM richness. However, studies in this scope with obesity are still scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between levels of PA and GM richness and diversity in women with obesity.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study, carried out with adult women with obesity. PA was assessed through the International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) and 3 groups were formed: G1 (sedentary and insufficiently active); G2 (active) and G3 (very active). GM analysis was performed using a stool sample through the 16S ribosomal sequencing method and the GM richness and diversity were evaluated by calculating the Chao richness and Shannon diversity index, respectively. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS 22.0, considering p-value<0.05.

Results:

Twenty-seven women were evaluated of which 9, 11 and 7 were included in the G1, G2 and G3 groups, respectively. No statistical difference was observed between the groups with regard to the richness and diversity of phyla and genera that compose the GM.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that PA is not associated to richness and diversity of the GM in women with obesity. However, more studies are needed to assess the effects of PA in improving GM composition in obesity.