A new meta-analysis showing obese people are more likely to suffer from particular gastrointestinal symptoms than others has “obvious clinical implications” says its Australian author, who was surprised by some of the findings.
Increasing BMI is associated with more than double the risk of upper abdominal pain, an 89% increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux, and higher incidence of diarrhoea, vomiting, retching, and incomplete evacuation, according to the paper published in Obesity Reviews.
However, there were no significant associations for all abdominal pain, lower abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, fecal incontinence, nausea, or anal blockage.
“There’s really a lack of research in this area,” said author Guy Eslick, Associate Professor in Gastroenterology at the University of Sydney.
“There’s lots of research for obesity in terms...
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