Editing Obesity (section)

===Gut bacteria===
{{See also|Infectobesity}}
The study of the effect of infectious agents on metabolism is still in its early stages. [[Gut flora]] has been shown to differ between lean and obese people. There is an indication that gut flora can affect the metabolic potential. This apparent alteration is believed to confer a greater capacity to harvest energy contributing to obesity. Whether these differences are the direct cause or the result of obesity has yet to be determined unequivocally.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = DiBaise JK, Zhang H, Crowell MD, Krajmalnik-Brown R, Decker GA, Rittmann BE | title = Gut microbiota and its possible relationship with obesity | journal = Mayo Clinic Proceedings | volume = 83 | issue = 4 | pages = 460–9 | date = April 2008 | pmid = 18380992 | doi = 10.4065/83.4.460 | type = Review | doi-access = free }}</ref> The use of [[antibiotics]] among children has also been associated with obesity later in life.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Antibiotics: repeated treatments before the age of two could be a factor in obesity |journal=Prescrire International |date=2018 |url=http://english.prescrire.org/en/(X(1))/81/168/55076/0/2018/ArchiveNewsDetails.aspx?page=1 |access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref><ref name=Cox2015/>

An association between [[viruses]] and obesity has been found in humans and several different animal species. The amount that these associations may have contributed to the rising rate of obesity is yet to be determined.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Falagas ME, Kompoti M | title = Obesity and infection | journal = The Lancet. Infectious Diseases | volume = 6 | issue = 7 | pages = 438–46 | date = July 2006 | pmid = 16790384 | doi = 10.1016/S1473-3099(06)70523-0 | type = Review }}</ref>