Central Obesity in Asymptomatic Volunteers Is Associated With Increased Intrasphincteric Acid Reflux and Lengthening of the Cardiac Mucosa

Central obesity is associated with intrasphincteric extension of gastric acid and cardiac mucosal lengthening. The latter might arise through metaplasia of the most distal esophageal squamous epithelium and this process might predispose individuals to adenocarcinoma.