Diet and body mass index (BMI) have been shown to affect the gut microbiota of children, but studies are largely performed in developed countries. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional investigation on the differences in the bacterial gut microbiota between normal-weight and overweight urban Filipino children, and determined the relationship between their energy, macronutrient and dietary fiber intakes, and their gut microbiota composition and diversity. Forty-three children (normal-weight, n = 32; overweight, n = 11) participated in the study. Energy and fiber intakes were collected using a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The gut microbiota was profiled using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the V3–V4 region. The diet of the children was a mixture of traditional and Western patterns. There were no significant differences in energy, macronutrients and energy-adjusted fiber intakes between the normal-weight and overweight groups, but there were significantly more children meeting the recommended fiber intake in the overweight group. Alpha and beta bacterial diversities did not significantly differ between weight groups. Relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, Turicibacter and Clostridiaceae 1 were higher in the normal-weight than overweight children, and Lachnospira was higher in overweight children.

Objective. This study aimed to determine the energy density and satiety of meals based on the healthy food plate model for Filipino adults. Methods. Thirteen healthy adult volunteers consumed breakfast test meals consisting of 1 cup go food, ½ cup grow food and 1 ½ cups glow food, following the recommended proportions in the plate model. Energy density (kcal/g) of the test meals was calculated. Feelings of hunger and fullness were assessed with 100-mm visual analogue scales (VAS) at pre-prandial (0 minute) and at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes postprandial. Ghrelin levels at 0, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results. The test meals had an average energy density of 0.83 kcal/g. Hunger and fullness scores gradually changed with time but hunger remained significantly lower and fullness significantly higher than the pre-prandial levels at 180 minutes postprandial. Ghrelin declined after intake of the test meals and stayed significantly lower than the pre-prandial level at 240 minutes postprandial (30.21 ± 4.58 pmol/L). Conclusion. Meals following the recommendations in the healthy food plate model for Filipino adults have low energy density and its consumption sustained short-term satiety.