Overweight Epidemic in Children Leads To Increase Cases of GERD

Californian researchers from Kaiser Permanente released a report that stated older children that are overweight, have an increased chance of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is referred to as GERD.

In cases where the children are extremely overweight, their chances of developing GERD are 40 percent higher than that of of children in the normal weight range. There is a 30 percent higher chance in children who are considered moderately overweight.

Corinna Koebnick, is a scientist and the author for the study at Kaiser Permanente in Pasadena, California. She stated that it has already been known that overweight children are at risk for heart disease and diabetes, now GERD can be an addition to the list.
The actual cause of GERD is not known, but it is linked to obesity. Victims of GERD experience heartburn when stomach acid backs up in their esophagus. It can lead to heartburn that is chronic, a cough that is persistent, asthma, and an inflamed larynx. If the condition does not receive treatment, the esophagus’ lining may be chronically inflamed. and scarring and ulcers can develop.

Approximately 1 in 10 people with the GERD condition will develop Barrett’s esophagus, which is a pre cancerous conditon in the esophagus. A small percent of these victims will develop cancer. The Kaiser researchers wrote that the cancer risk will increase if the GERD continues through adult life.

Koebnick said that in America, esophagus cancer is rising quicker than any other cancer, and is expected to have double the victims in the next 2 decades.