Obesity-Related Risk Factors in Multiple Sclerosis
Summary
Obesity is increasingly recognised as a modifiable risk factor for both the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Elevated body mass index (BMI) in childhood and early adulthood promotes a pro-inflammatory milieu through expanded adipose tissue, which secretes adipokines such as leptin and resistin that skew immune responses towards Th1 and Th17 phenotypes. This persistent low-grade inflammation may lower the threshold for autoimmune demyelination in genetically susceptible individuals. Mendelian randomisation studies support a causal role for higher BMI in MS susceptibility. Furthermore, obesity at disease onset correlates with more rapid disability accumulation and unfavourable neuroradiological features, independent of relapse frequency. Weight management and lifestyle interventions thus hold promise not only for reducing MS risk but also for ameliorating disease severity. Understanding the interplay between adipose-derived inflammatory mediators, genetic predisposition and environmental triggers is critical for holistic patient care and public health policy.
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Obesity-Related Risk Factors in Multiple Sclerosis publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in obesity-related risk factors in multiple sclerosis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Body Mass Index (BMI): A measure of body weight relative to height (kg/m²) used to classify underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity.
Mendelian randomisation: An analytical approach using genetic variants as instrumental variables to assess causal effects of an exposure on an outcome.
Adipokines: Bioactive molecules secreted by adipose tissue, including leptin and adiponectin, that influence systemic inflammation and immune regulation.
Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): A standardised ordinal scale for quantifying disability in MS, ranging from 0 (normal neurological exam) to 10 (death due to MS).
References
- Obesity and Multiple Sclerosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study. PLOS Medicine (2016).
- Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis and Obesity: Defining the Silhouette of Disease Features in Overweight Patients. Nutrients (2023).
- Association of obesity with disease outcome in multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry (2022).
- Multiple Sclerosis and Obesity: Possible Roles of Adipokines. Mediators of Inflammation (2016).
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