At the 19th International Congress of Dietitians and Nutritionists, “Optimal Nutrition: The Foundation for a Long and Active Life,” the central theme was the impact of gut microbiota on health, the role of nutrition in regulating microbiota, and the acute problems of obesity among children.
Microbiota: its role in human life
The gut microbiota is a huge community of bacteria that can influence metabolism, immunity, and, through the so-called “gut-brain axis,” even cognitive functions and mood. A person's diet directly changes the composition of the microbiota: an excess of saturated fats and refined sugars leads to a decrease in beneficial microbial diversity, weakens the barrier functions of the intestine, and provokes metabolic and inflammatory disorders. Conversely, dietary fibers such as inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides serve as a substrate for beneficial bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids — compounds that support barrier integrity, anti-inflammatory status, and metabolic health.
Personalized nutrition and trends for 2026
Experts have noted a trend toward personalization: nutritional recommendations are increasingly based on analysis of microbiota, blood markers, and genetics. For example, people with low microbiota diversity are recommended to consume more fiber and fermented foods, while protein or fat metabolism issues are corrected by selecting specific sources of protein and fat. Much attention is paid to the role of postbiotics — bacterial metabolites that affect sugar regulation, immunity, and even brain function.
The 19th International Congress of Dietitians and Nutritionists featured many important presentations on the microbiota and its role in human health, as well as the possibility of correcting the microbiota to prevent metabolic diseases and obesity in children.
The problem of childhood obesity
In 2025, childhood obesity in Russia and worldwide reached alarming proportions: in Russia, 20% of children are overweight, and 6–8% are diagnosed with obesity — that's about 1.5 million children. One in five children aged 5–19 worldwide is overweight — for the first time, obesity has become more common than underweight. Russian experts emphasize that in addition to excessive calorie intake and an unbalanced diet, a sedentary lifestyle and increased consumption of “fast” carbohydrates, as well as an imbalance in the gut microbiota, which forms at an early age, play a key role in the development of obesity.
Particular attention was paid to correcting the microbiome in obese children using specialized probiotic consortia and synbiotics. A lack of clinical data on specific strains and dosages was noted, as well as the need for large-scale studies to confirm the effectiveness of these approaches.
A fundamental report by the Scientific Center for Nutrition and Biotechnology was devoted to changes in the structure and functions of the intestinal microbiome against the backdrop of changes in nutrition, the food industry, and the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and fiber to correct the risk of metabolic and inflammatory conditions.
The symposium on pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition highlighted new horizons in maintaining children's microbiota. Reports were presented on the role of prebiotics and probiotics, their impact on reducing the risk of gastrointestinal infections, maintaining metabolic health.
The keynote presentation by the Scientific Center for Nutrition and Biotechnology focused on changes in the structure and functions of the gut microbiome against the backdrop of changes in nutrition, the food industry, and the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and fiber to correct the risk of metabolic and inflammatory conditions.
The symposium on pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition highlighted new horizons in maintaining children's microbiota. Reports were presented on the role of prebiotics and probiotics, their impact on reducing the risk of gastrointestinal infections, maintaining metabolic health, and building immunity. Particular attention was paid to the latest synbiotic products for young children, including bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, as well as a combination of inulin, fructooligosaccharides, and lactic acid bacteria to maintain microbiota balance and prevent inflammatory and metabolic disorders.
The following topics were a common thread throughout the congress:
Microbiota-focused nutrition strategies: using evolutionary approaches to restore the microbiome to optimize diets. Assessment of the impact of antibiotics and food ingredients on the formation of microbiota in infancy and childhood, the need for early correction to prevent metabolic disorders. Personalized nutrition based on the analysis of microbiota composition and the selection of optimal food components to maintain metabolic health and immune resistance. The scientific community is searching for innovative ingredients and services to support the microbiota through functional infant nutrition.
Key points
An imbalance in the microbiota is associated with an increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and inflammatory diseases, especially in children. The use of modern probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics allows for targeted influence on the composition of the microbiota, reducing the risk of metabolic disorders and supporting immunity from an early age. It is extremely important to minimize the unjustified use of antibiotics and pay attention to a diet rich in dietary fiber to ensure favorable conditions for the development of beneficial microbiota. Personalized approaches are becoming increasingly important: recommendations for nutrition and microbiota restoration should be based on individual analyses and take into account the specific microbial composition of the patient.
Practical recommendations
In the diets of children and adults, emphasize increasing the proportion of dietary fiber, including a variety of plant-based products and fermented food ingredients to support beneficial microbes. Regularly include functional foods with probiotics (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli) and prebiotics (inulin, fructooligosaccharides) in the diet to prevent and correct dysbiosis. For children at risk of obesity or metabolic disorders, use specialized probiotic consortia and synbiotics under the supervision of specialists and taking into account personal microbiota data. Educate parents and specialists on the importance of developing proper eating habits and early support for the microbiota for the long-term health of the child. These recommendations have been identified as key to the development of new nutrition and chronic disease prevention programs for children and adults.
Key nutrition issues
An unbalanced diet, excessive consumption of sugar and fats, and a lack of dietary fiber remain the leading factors in the development of chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory diseases. At the same time, there is growing interest in the role of the gut microbiota in maintaining health and preventing disease.
The importance of the gut microbiota
The gut microbiota is a key factor influencing metabolism, immune response, and nutrient metabolism. The congress emphasized the need to maintain the balance of the microbiota through proper nutrition, including probiotics and prebiotics, to improve the barrier function of the intestine and anti-inflammatory protection.
The role of dietary fiber
Dietary fiber, especially soluble and fermentable types (e.g., inulin, fructooligosaccharides, pectin), stimulates microbial fermentation to produce short-chain fatty acids, which are essential metabolites for intestinal health. SCFAs support energy metabolism in the intestinal epithelium, help regulate immune processes, and reduce systemic inflammation.
Key recommendations include:
Increasing dietary fiber intake to the recommended levels (at least 25-30 g per day for adults).
Focusing on natural sources of fiber: vegetables, fruits, whole grains.
Using functional foods with probiotics and prebiotics to correct dysbiosis.
Impact on health and longevity
An optimal diet with adequate fiber content and support for the microbiota helps reduce the risk of metabolic and inflammatory diseases, improves metabolic processes and cognitive functions, and has a positive effect on quality of life and active longevity.
Conclusion
The 19th International Congress of Dietitians and Nutritionists confirmed that optimal nutrition is the foundation of health at all stages of life. The Congress emphasizes that preventing obesity in children is impossible without the formation of proper eating habits, the development of interest in physical activity, and the support of balanced intestinal microbiota. The epidemic can only be defeated through a comprehensive approach — at the level of educational programs, family practices, and the children's food industry, taking into account the impact of ingredients on the microbiota and metabolism of children. Supporting the microbiota and adequate consumption of dietary fiber are priority areas for reducing the burden of chronic diseases and ensuring active longevity in the modern population.