GUT MICROBIOTA–DRIVEN MECHANISMS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OBESITY

The global rise in obesity has become a critical medical and societal concern, as excess adiposity substantially increases the likelihood of cardiometabolic complications. Growing evidence indicates that the intestinal microbial ecosystem plays a pivotal role in shaping host metabolic regulation. This review explores the diverse biological pathways through which gut microorganisms may promote weight gain and metabolic imbalance. Particular attention is given to microbial influences on caloric utilization, the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids, systemic inflammation driven by endotoxins, maintenance of intestinal permeability, bile acid transformation, and signaling along the gut–brain axis. The paper also considers emerging therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating the intestinal microbiome as a strategy for obesity management.