Extreme childhood obesity increases by 40 percent. risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. In the case of moderate obesity, the risk is 30%. – showed the research of the Kaiser Permanente center, which was published in the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity.
Experts estimate that from 8 to 25 percent. children in the United States, depending on their age and body mass index, may experience common symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, which can cause coughing, chronic respiratory disease, including asthma. It often leads to a reduction in quality of life and, if it persists into adulthood, may increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
Esophageal cancer is the fastest growing cancer of all types in the United States. Scientists predict that the number of patients will double in the next 20 years (unlike most other cancers where the incidence is declining). Researchers blame this tendency on obesity in society.
Studies have already shown that the risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, which is the regurgitation of food from the stomach, clearly increases among obese adults. Currently, the same relationship has been confirmed in children.
Childhood obesity, especially in its extreme form, carries the risk of many serious health complications, such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer, says Dr. Corinna Koebnick, who leads the study, adding that it is now known that reflux should be added to this list.
The research was conducted in California and over 690 people participated in them. children and adolescents from 2 to 19 years of age. Observations confirmed that extreme obesity is becoming more and more visible among younger children. Currently, it has been diagnosed in 7,3 percent. boys and 5,5 percent. little girls. However, the highest percentages were recorded among African American teenagers (12%) and Latin American teenagers (11,2%). (PAP)