While this connection sounds far-fetched, there's some interesting science that may connect what yout eat, the kind of bacteria your digestive tract produces, and your weight. A new study in Time Magazine (November 12, 2009) took a closer look.

This is early research, but might hint at the human condition. Our digestive tracts are loaded with millions of bacteria, some connected to the utilization and storage of body fat. Using very sophisticated scientific methods,  the work was done in mice, but the cells used (and studied) were from the human digestive tract. 

Two different kinds of bacteria seem to respond to changes what the animals ate. The mice were fed typical human diets, to see how their bacteria, and weight, changed.

The findings? Mice fed a typical artery-clogging diet high in fat and sugars tended to gain weight, and grew more "Firmicutes" bacteria. The mice eating the low-fat, plant-rich diet remained lean, and grew more of the "Bacteroidetes" bacteria.

The day might come when a "bacteria profile" in the digestive tract might contribute to the biological predisposition for weight gain. This is just the start of a connection, since an association - "good" bacteria and staying lean - does not mean cause. 

For now, this is just "food for thought", but important when we look at the comprehensive reasons why some people gain weight more easily than others.