Location: Microbiome and Metabolism Research
Project Number: 6026-10700-001-040-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2026
End Date: Jun 30, 2031
Objective:
1. Early-Life Nutrition: Maternal Yogurt Intake, Milk Composition, and Infant Health.
2. Childhood & Adolescence: Diet Quality/Micronutrients and Exercise Effects on Gut–Immune–Brain Health.
Approach:
In the maternal–infant study, a randomized controlled trial will determine whether yogurt consumption by lactating mothers with overweight/obesity improves breastmilk composition and leads to healthier infant gut microbiota, lower inflammation, improved sleep, and favorable blood markers related to cognition. Maternal milk, stool, and infant biological samples will be collected at 3 and 6 months, alongside detailed infant growth and behavioral measures, to identify diet responsive microbial and metabolic signatures that support early development.
In childhood and adolescence, cross sectional and interventional studies will evaluate how dietary patterns, micronutrient intake, and physical activity shape gut, and immune health. Diet will be assessed using ASA24, Healthy Eating Index scoring, and objective metabolite biomarkers. Immune profiling, microbiome sequencing, targeted metabolomics will be assessed in 7–18 years. A 12 week randomized trial will test the independent and combined effects of exercise training and fruit vegetable enrichment on immune and gut function in adolescents.