Metagenomic sequencing dataset linked to diet and metabolic biomarkers in adolescents in Galapagos Ecuador.

This study provides a metagenomic sequencing dataset generated from fecal samples collected from adolescents living in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. The project aims to characterize the gut microbiome of this unique population and to explore its potential links with dietary patterns and metabolic biomarkers. The Galapagos archipelago represents an isolated and environmentally distinct region, where local diets, influenced by geography and food availability, differ from those typically reported in continental populations. By focusing on adolescents, this study targets a critical developmental period where diet, lifestyle, and host-microbe interactions play a major role in shaping long-term health outcomes.The dataset consists of raw sequencing reads in FASTQ format generated by high-throughput metagenomic sequencing. Each sample corresponds to an anonymized subject ID, with accompanying metadata available through an open repository (DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.29923256). Metadata include age, sex, body mass index (BMI), dietary information, and selected metabolic biomarkers. Together, these records provide a rich context for investigating associations between microbial community composition, nutrition, and metabolic health.The main goals of the study are: (i) to provide a comprehensive description of the gut microbial diversity in adolescents from the Galapagos; (ii) to identify microbial taxa and functional profiles associated with diet and nutritional markers; and (iii) to contribute baseline data that may support future public health initiatives, preventive strategies, and microbiome-based interventions in Ecuador and similar low- and middle-income countries. The dataset may also serve as a valuable reference for comparative analyses with other adolescent cohorts worldwide, particularly in understanding the effects of environment and diet on the developing gut microbiome.This dataset is relevant for researchers in microbiology, nutrition, epidemiology, and global health. It provides raw data suitable for taxonomic and functional profiling, metagenome assembly, and integrative analyses linking microbiome features to host phenotypes. Beyond its scientific utility, the project emphasizes the importance of generating genomic resources from underrepresented populations and regions, which are often absent from global microbiome initiatives. By making these data publicly available, the study seeks to promote transparency, reproducibility, and equitable participation in microbiome research.