2024: What seniors know (and don't know) about their microbiota International Microbiota Observatory
A major international survey on microbiota, the International Microbiota Observatory, has been carried out by the Biocodex Microbiota Institute and Ipsos. What do seniors know about their microbiota?
- 1. Knowledge of different microbiota is lowest among seniors
- 2. Seniors are more likely to adopt healthy behaviours to maintain a balanced microbiota
- 3. Seniors make little connection between microbiota imbalance and pathologies
- 4. Healthcare professionals: a key player in teaching seniors about microbiota
- Methodology
The second wave of this study once again highlights a lack of knowledge among senior about microbiota, which remains largely unknown. However, it also highlights the fact that behaviour are improving this year, thanks to growing awareness among healthcare professionals. This awareness must now be strengthened and extended to all seniors.
Disclaimer: in the following results, seniors are represented by the population aged 60 and over.
1. Knowledge of different microbiota is lowest among seniors
Only 1 in 10 surveyed seniors declared to know exactly what the term "microbiota" meant.
(versus 23% of the overall population)
Less than 2 in 10 seniors had ever heard of the term dysbiosis, in other words, a microbiota imbalanced.
(versus 34% of the overall population)
However, 3 out of 4 seniors know that microbiota plays an important role in immune defense mechanisms.
(equal the overall population)
how well do seniors know about them?
Only 46% of surveyed seniors said they knew what the gut microbiota is.
versus 56% of the overall population
Learn more about the gut microbiota...
Only 38% of surveyed seniors said they knew what the vaginal microbiota is.
versus 49% of the overall population
Learn more about the vaginal microbiota...
Only 37% of surveyed seniors said they knew what the oral microbiota is.
versus 48% of the overall population
Learn more about the oral microbiota...
Only 34% of surveyed seniors said they knew what the skin microbiota is.
versus 46% of the overall population
Learn more about the skin microbiota...
Only 33% of surveyed seniors said they knew what the urinary microbiota is.
versus 44% of the overall population
Learn more about the urinary microbiota...
Only 32% of surveyed seniors said they knew what the lung microbiota is.
versus 42% of the overall population
Learn more about the lung microbiota...
2. Seniors are more likely to adopt healthy behaviours to maintain a balanced microbiota
Among the many behaviors to be avoided and adopted to take care of their microbiota, seniors are among the best examples. Here's a closer look at these good behaviors.
Only 1 in 2 surveyed seniors declared to change their behaviors to keep their microbiota balanced and functioning properly.
(versus 58% of the overall population)

Diet and food habits
86% of surveyed seniors declared having a varied and balanced diet.
versus 84% of the overall population
78% of surveyed seniors declared limiting processed food.
versus 75% of the overall population
Probiotics and prebiotics consumption
Seniors don't seem to know exactly what probiotics are (only 43%) and even less when it comes to prebiotics (only 24%). However, they declare taking probiotics and prebiotics.
Only 43% of surveyed seniors declared consuming probiotics (beneficial to the microbiota).
(versus 50% of the overall population)
Only 35% of surveyed seniors declared consuming prebiotics (beneficial to the microbiota).
(versus 44% of the overall population)

What is the difference between prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics?
Learn more
Lifestyle and global hygiene
76% of surveyed seniors declared engaging in physical activity.
versus 78% of the overall population
78% of surveyed seniors declared not smoking.
versus 76% of the overall population
41% of surveyed seniors declared showering at least twice a day.
versus 45% of the overall population

What is your best advice for aging well?
Learn more
3. Seniors make little connection between microbiota imbalance and pathologies
The microbiota plays a key role in the onset or management of certain pathologies. But few seniors are really aware of these implications.

Gastroenteritis
Only 49% of seniors surveyed who have already experienced gastroenteritis* make the connection with an imbalance in their microbiota.
versus 53% of the overall population

Urogenital infections
Only 45% of seniors surveyed who have already experienced one or more urogenital infections* make the connection with an imbalance in their microbiota.
versus 55% of the overall population
* Urinary tract infection such as:
- cystitis
- urethritis
- bacterial vaginosis
- vaginitis
- yeast infection

Episode(s) of intestinal and digestive system disorders
Only 45% of seniors surveyed who have already experienced one or more digestive disorders* make the connection with an imbalance in their microbiota.
versus 50% of the overall population
* Intestinal and digestive disorders such as:
- bloating,
- flatulence,
- abdominal pain,
- diarrhea,
- constipation-disturbed transit

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
Only 52% of seniors surveyed who have already experienced one or more antibiotic-associated diarrhea* make the connection with an imbalance in their microbiota.
versus 53% of the overall population

Skin problems
Only 28% of seniors surveyed who have already experienced skin problems* make the connection with an imbalance in their microbiota.
versus 40% of the overall population
* Skin problems such as:
- atopic dermatitis
- psoriasis
- seborrheic dermatitis

Dental disorders
Only 30% of seniors surveyed who have already experienced one or more dental disorders* make the connection with an imbalance in their microbiota.
versus 36% of the overall population
* Dental disorders such as:
- periodontitis
- caries
- ulcers

ENT disorders
Only 24% of seniors surveyed who have already experienced one or more ENT disorders* make the connection with an imbalance in their microbiota.
versus 33% of the overall population
* Dental disorders such as:
- otitis
- sinusitis
- allergic rhinitis
- bronchitis
- laryngitis
4. Healthcare professionals: a key player in teaching seniors about microbiota
Of all the age groups surveyed, seniors consider their healthcare professionals to be the most reliable source of information on microbiota.
97% versus 94% of the overall population
Although seniors trust their healthcare professionals, they still receive too little essential information about the microbiota

Education
Only 34% of surveyed seniors have already received explanations on what the microbiota is and what its role and function are.
versus 45% of the overall population

Advices
Only 37% of surveyed seniors have already received explanations on the good behaviors to adopt in order to maintain a healthy microbiota.
versus 48% of the overall population

Probiotics and prebiotics
Only 37% of surveyed seniors have already been prescribed probiotics or prebiotics to restore the microbiota's balance.
versus 50% of the overall population

Methodology
This second edition of the International Microbiota Observatory was conducted by Ipsos on 7,500 individuals across 11 countries (France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Morocco, the USA, Brazil, Mexico, China, and Vietnam). Four new countries were included in this second edition: Poland, Finland, Morocco, and Vietnam.
The survey was conducted over the Internet between January 26 and February 26, 2024. For each country, the sample is representative of the population aged 18 and over in terms of :
- gender
- age
- profession
- region
Representativeness was ensured via quota sampling, the most commonly used sampling method for obtaining a representative sample of the population studied. The quota variables for each country were gender, age, region, and socio-professional category. The data were adjusted:
- within each country, again to ensure that each population is representative
- globally, so that each country has the same weight. Statistical analyses were carried out using Cosi software (M.L.I., France, 1994), with a significance level of 95%
The survey population was 48% male and 52% female. The average age was 46.1 years. The sample of 7,500 individuals made it possible to carry out a detailed analysis by age group:
- 18-24
- 25-34
- 35-44
- 45-59
- 60 and over
Changes from one year to the next have been measured on a like-for-like basis, i.e. calculated taking into account only those countries present in both the first and second editions of the survey. While we do have results for the new countries included in this second edition (Poland, Finland, Morocco, and Vietnam), they have not been taken into account when calculating trends, since they were not included in the first edition of the survey.
The questionnaire includes 27 questions on:
- socio-demographic data
- the level of knowledge about microbiomes
- the level of and desire for information from healthcare professionals
- the identification and adoption of behaviors designed to combat microbiome imbalances
- the level of knowledge, information, and behaviors of women about the vulvo-vaginal microbiome
- health data
The questionnaire lasted ten minutes and the 7,500 individuals had to complete the entire questionnaire in order to be included in the survey. The terms used in the questionnaire to talk about the microbiome have been translated and adapted to the terms used in each country.