Obesity and Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children

Obesity in children has become a global pandemic during the last decade. Recent studies have reported an association between obesity and functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. In addition, obesity is also becoming increasingly recognized at diagnosis of organic GI diseases such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. An awareness of all possible complications and associations of obesity by the practicing physician is crucial to provide comprehensive care to obese children. This article reviews the present data on the association between obesity and various common GI disorders. The possible mechanisms and the clinical significance of this association are also discussed.