Lack of association between Helicobacter pylori infection and childhood overweight/obesity

Abstract

Background The reduction in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in developed countries coincides with the increasing incidence of obesity and might be a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. We aimed to evaluate the association between H. pylori infection and childhood overweight/ obesity in Israeli children. Material and Methods Patients diagnosed with H. pylori infection by endoscopy, histology, and a positive culture, between January 2013 and August 2018, were identified and compared with H. pylori‐negative children, of the same age and gender, undergoing endoscopy for the same indications during the same time period. Data collected included the following: age, gender, height, weight, BMI, BMI percentile, and the indication for endoscopy. Patients with missing anthropometric data or having a disease affecting growth were excluded. Results We included 146 H. pylori‐positive children and 146 age‐ and gender‐matched H. pylori‐negative patients. 63.7% (186/292) were female, mean age 13.1 ± 3.7. Overweight (BMI between the 85th‐95th percentile) and obesity (BMI > 95th percentile) were present in 56/292 (19.2%). Among the H. pylori‐positive children, 11.6% were overweight, 7.5% obese, among the H. pylori‐negative children, 10.3% were overweight, 8.9% obese, demonstrating no differences between the groups. The main indication for endoscopy was abdominal/ epigastric pain in 79.8% (233/292). The percent of children with a BMI ≥ 85% did not differ by gender age or the indication for endoscopy. Conclusions No association between H. pylori infection and childhood overweight/ obesity was demonstrated. This is in contrasts with previous pediatric studies demonstrating an inverse correlation.

Helicobacter pyloriseropositivity associates with hyperglycemia, but not obesity in Danish children and adolescents

“…H. pylori has been investigated in relation to pediatric obesity, with two studies showing lower H. pylori seropositivity in children and adolescents with obesity (22,23). Other studies found no association (24,25). One European study demonstrated an increase in body mass index (BMI) after eradication of H. pylori (26), similar to an earlier finding in adults (27).…”

Global Trend on Machine Learning in Helicobacter within One Decade: A Scientometric Study

“…Numerous studies have found an association between H. pylori infection and obesity [ 55 ], but some studies have not found an association between H. pylori infection and childhood obesity or overweight [ 56 ].…”

Interactions between Helicobacter pylori infection and host metabolic homeostasis: A comprehensive review

“…For instance, a study conducted in Taiwan involving 176 children aged 10–19 years old found a higher prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity among obese children compared to non‐obese children (18.2% vs. 40%) 23 . However, two other studies focusing on obese children undergoing bariatric surgery in Korea and Israel respectively failed to replicate these findings, providing support for the absence of an association 24 . Furthermore, the impact of H. pylori eradication on BMI was examined in various studies.…”

“…23 However, two other studies focusing on obese children undergoing bariatric surgery in Korea and Israel respectively failed to replicate these findings, providing support for the absence of an association. 24 Furthermore, the impact of H. pylori eradication on BMI was examined in various studies. In a retrospective multicenter cohort study from Korea, employing the Propensity Score-matched method, it was found that H. pylori eradication did not result in significant changes in BMIs.…”