Childhood obesity tied to more than double the risk of Multiple Sclerosis, finds study

As per a new study, obese children may be at a greater, almost more than double risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) as compared to adults.

The study findings

Previous research has suggested a link between the risk of multiple sclerosis in adolescence and high body mass index (BMI).

However, as per The Guardian, these studies were retrospective in design and only relied on self-reported data.

The new study by researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden on the other hand sought to prospectively assess the risk of developing MS in a large cohort of obese children as compared to the general population.

For this, scientists used data from the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Register, also known as Boris, which happens to be one of the largest registries for childhood obesity treatment globally.

They examined information from over 21,600 children with obesity aged between two and 19 years. They then compared the data of children who entered the registry between 1995 and 2020 with data from more than 100,000 children without obesity.

Tracking them for an average of six years, researchers during the follow-up period diagnosed MS in 28 of those with obesity and 58 in the group without obesity.

For both the groups, on average MS was diagnosed at the age of 23, but the incidence of MS was more frequent in obese children (0.13 per cent of the group), as compared to children without obesity (0.06 per cent).

Acknowledging the study's limitations, the authors said: "Despite the limited follow-up time, our findings highlight that obesity in childhood increases the susceptibility of early-onset MS more than twofold."

Study authors Associate Professor Emilia Hagman, and Professor Claude Marcus, noted that childhood obesity triggers chronic inflammation, likely increasing the risk of MS and other diseases. They highlighted the potential for weight loss to reduce inflammation and disease risk.

"It is also believed that chronic low-grade inflammation increases the risk for other such diseases as asthma, arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and some forms of cancers. However, we know that weight loss reduces the inflammation and most likely the risk of developing such diseases," they said.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is an immune disease that affects the brain and the spinal cord. It is a lifelong condition that can at times cause disability and seriously disrupt a person's life.

Its symptoms include problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.

(With inputs from agencies)