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Obesity and Risk of Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis (POMS): a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sanaz Mehrabani1, Narges Ebrahimi2, Mohsen Rastkar3,4

  • 1Associate Professor of Pediatrics Gastroenterology, Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

Maedica
|July 8, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity significantly increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in children. This meta-analysis confirms a substantially higher pooled odds ratio for MS among obese children, highlighting a critical public health concern.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing global health issue.
  • Existing literature suggests a link between childhood obesity and increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), but findings are inconsistent.
  • A systematic review and meta-analysis were needed to quantify this association.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze existing studies.
  • To quantify the pooled risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in children with obesity.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar) and gray literature up to May 1, 2023.
  • Two independent researchers screened and selected studies.
  • Four studies meeting eligibility criteria were included in the meta-analysis, involving 17,812 cases and 660,757 controls.

Main Results:

  • The pooled odds ratio (OR) for developing MS in children with obesity was 1.67 (95% CI 1.25-2.24).
  • Individual study ORs ranged from 1.26 to 3.79.
  • Significant heterogeneity was observed (I2=84.2%, p<0.001).

Conclusions:

  • The findings indicate a significantly elevated risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in children who are obese.
  • This highlights the importance of addressing childhood obesity to potentially mitigate MS risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
multiple sclerosisobesitypediatric

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