About PYM

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are defined as diseases that are not transmissible directly from one person to another, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. Genetic factors and lifestyle habits like physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and the harmful use of alcohol are tightly related to their development. The World Health Organization manifests that 70% of all deaths globally (~41 million) are due to NCDs [1]. Recent reports have shown that the gut microbiome (the complex of microorganisms that inhabit the gut) is altered in individuals with NCDs [2]. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that obesity has a microbial component, on the other hand, the gut microbiome has shown responsible for personalized glycaemic responses for different people to the same meal and has a significant influence on postprandial lipemia [3].

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The social impact of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is massive, in 2.017 over 950,000 deaths and 16 million Disability-Adjusted Life-Years in the EU were attributable to dietary risks and their associated NCDs [4]. Specifically in Spain, 3.15% of deaths (13,390) were due to endocrine, metabolic, or nutritional-related diseases [5]. 

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#PictureYourMicrobes aims to improve those statistics by raising awareness among the population to enhance the lifestyle and eating habits of citizens by giving them knowledge of the relationship between their bodies, their microbiome, and lifestyle. This new understanding of microbiome-lifestyle relationships will empower citizens to drive dietary changes and lifestyle modifications to impact the microbiome positively and thus, balance the presence of "bad" vs "good" microbes mitigating or delaying the onset and progression of specific NCDs. 

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We will develop a photovoice project, a participatory action research methodology where people represent a specific topic through photographs [6], and a citizen science project in which participants will collect data about dietary habits, frequency of consumption of certain foods (prebiotics and probiotics), and collect a stool sample for analysing their microbiome. 

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The project main objectives are: 

• Develop a co-creation project of citizen science and public engagement through the use of focus groups and photovoice activities.

• Disseminate results to the general public through photovoice exhibitions and social media activity.

• Assess the impact on the community. 

References: 

1. Non-communicable diseases. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases.

2. Finlay, B. B., Humans, C. & the Microbiome. Are noncommunicable diseases communicable? Science vol. 367 250–251 (2020).

3. Berry, S. E. et al. Human postprandial responses to food and potential for precision nutrition. Nat. Med. 26, 964–973 (2020).

4. Makki, K., Deehan, E. C., Walter, J. & Backhed, F. The Impact of Dietary Fiber on Gut Microbiota in Host Health and Disease. Cell Host Microbe 23, 705–715 (2018).

5. James, S. L. et al. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet 392, 1789–1858 (2018).

6. Gant, L. M. et al. Effects of Photovoice: Civic Engagement Among Older Youth in Urban Communities. J. Community Pract. 17, 358–376 (2009).

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