The Role of Obesity in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Barrett’s Esophagus

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and related disorders has been increasing worldwide, particularly in Western populations where a parallel rise in obesity prevalence has been reported. As weight gain often overlaps with the GERD-related symptoms, several recent studies investigated the significance of this correlation, mainly using meta-analyses. Here, we discuss the large amount of evidence linking obesity and GERD-related symptoms, providing potential mechanisms for their co-occurrence. Particular attention is given also to the association between obesity, Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma development.