Gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity.

Logic would suggest that obesity would be a strong risk factor for causing GERD and certainly for exacerbation of GERD. Though the balance of the epidemiologic data support a relationship, true cause and effect cannot be documented. Thus, making the recommendation to lose weight to the GERD patient who is obese is reasonable. Other health reasons, however, supersede GERD as the primary impetus to lose weight.