Citizen science helps to raise awareness about gut microbiome health in people at risk of developing non-communicable diseases

ABSTRACT

Citizens lack knowledge about the impact of gut microbiota on health and how lifestyle and dietary choices can influence it, leading to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and affecting overall well-being. Participatory action research (PAR) is a promising approach to enhance communication and encourage individuals to adopt healthier behaviors and improve their health. In this study, we explored the feasibility of integrating the photovoice method with citizen science approaches to assess the impact of social and environmental factors on gut microbiota health. In this context, citizen science approaches entailed the involvement of participants in the collection of samples for subsequent analysis, specifically gut microbiome assessment via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We recruited 70 volunteers and organized six photovoice groups based on age and educational background. Participants selected 64 photographs that represented the influence of daily habits on gut microbiota health and created four photovoice themes. Analysis of the gut microbiome using 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified 474 taxa, and in-depth microbial analysis revealed three clusters of people based on gut microbiome diversity and body mass index (BMI). Our findings indicate that participants enhanced their knowledge of gut microbiome health through PAR activities, and we found a correlation between lower microbial diversity, higher BMI, and better achievement of learning outcomes. Using PAR as a methodology is an effective way to increase citizens’ awareness and engagement in self-care, maintain healthy gut microbiota, and prevent NCD development. These interventions are particularly beneficial for individuals at higher risk of developing NCDs.

KEYWORDS:

• 16S rRNA gene sequencing
• co-occurrence networks
• keystone taxa
• participatory action research
• citizen science
• microbiota
• photovoice

Acknowledgments

We want to thank our 70 participants and those around 152 more people who signed up for our recruitment. To all who have followed and supported us on social media and continue to do so. To Paula Guiu for collaboration during all the stages of this project and Gloria Fuentes for the infographics designs for the photobook and exhibitions. To the following civic centres, in Zaragoza, for being the first to host our exhibition: Río Ebro, Teodoro Sánchez Punter (San José), La Almozara.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of data and material

Sequence files for all samples used in this study have been deposited in ENA under the accession number PRJEB59312. Metadata have been deposited in Figshare (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21977198.v1). A full record of all data analysis and original R scripts are available in GitHub (https://github.com/laurichi13/PYM).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2023.2241207.

Additional information

Funding

This study has been funded by a Proof of Concept Grant from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT Food) PoC047 to L.J.M-Z and REACT EU Program (FACINGLCOVID-CM project, Comunidad de Madrid and The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) European Union), and EU Structural Funds. L.J.M-Z. is supported by Juan de la Cierva Grant [IJC2019-042188-I] from the Spanish State Research Agency of the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y Ministerio de Universidades.