Obese children twice as likely to develop multiple sclerosis, study suggests

The study drew on data on more than 21,600 children with obesity and more than 100,000 children without. Photograph: PeopleImages/Getty Images

Children who are obese may face more than double the risk of developing multiple sclerosis as adults, a study suggests.

MS can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a range of potential symptoms including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance. It is a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability.