One of the ailments most commonly reported by both overweight and obese individuals worldwide is frequent Heartburn. This condition, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (or GERD), occurs when acids from the stomach are allowed to rise up into the esophagus as a result of the malfunctioning of the muscle valve which usually keeps the acids in their place. This not only causes painful burning sensations in the chest, but can eventually result in significant damage to the esophagus. In a study performed in 2006, researchers discovered that people who were overweight were more than 50 percent more likely to develop GERD. Obesity more than doubled a subject’s odds of developing the disease. (GERD is also linked to hiatus hernias, so be sure to check with your physician if you continue to suffer from severe Heartburn and tightness in the chest even after treatment).
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