The topic of antibiotics and obesity has been discussed several times on this blog (see links below).  More information on this topic has been published and is summarized by the NY Times: Frequent Antibiotics May Make Children Fatter

Children who regularly use antibiotics gain weight faster than those who have never taken the drugs, according to new research that suggests childhood antibiotics may have a lasting effect on body weight well into adulthood.

The study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, examined the electronic medical records of 163,820 children ages 3 to 18, counting antibiotic prescriptions, body weight and height. The records, which covered pediatric exams from 2001 through 2012, showed that one in five — over 30,000 children — had been prescribed antibiotics seven or more times. By the time those children reached age 15, they weighed, on average, about 3 pounds more than children who had received no antibiotics.

While earlier studies have suggested a link between antibiotics and childhood weight gain, they typically have relied on a mother’s memories of her child’s antibiotic use. The new research is significant because it’s based on documented use of antibiotics in a child’s medical record.

This story was covered by Time:  Too many antibiotics may make children heavier

My Take: More evidence that antibiotics could contribute to obesity.  Perhaps this will help with antimicrobial stewardship.

Related blog posts:

1. Could antibiotics make you fat? | gutsandgrowth
2. Could Obesity Be Cured/Created at Birth with Manipulation of …
3. Missing Bacteria in Refractory Malnutrition | gutsandgrowth
4. Preterm Neonatal Microbiota and Effect of Perinatal …
5. Early Antibiotics and Obesity | gutsandgrowth