Childhood and adolescent obesity ups MS risk

Both childhood and adolescent obesity are linked to an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), with higher levels of obesity further strengthening this association, according to a recent nationwide study.

Researchers conducted a nationwide prospective cohort study using data from the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Register and general population comparators to assess the risk of MS among individuals aged 2-19 years with obesity. The study included 21,652 patients (54% boys) with obesity who began obesity treatment at a median age of 11.5 years, alongside 102,187 matched individuals from the general population. Participants were followed for a median duration of 5.6 years, and cases of MS were identified through the National Patient Register.

Findings showed that paediatric patients with obesity had a significantly higher risk of developing MS compared to the general population. This association was consistent across both boys and girls and applied to cases of childhood and adolescent obesity

These findings underscore the importance of addressing obesity early in life and highlight the need for further research to explore potential mechanisms linking obesity and MS development.