Green HD, Beaumont RN, Wood AR, et al. - To define potential causal modifiable risk factors for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), researchers applied a genetic approach [Mendelian randomization (MR)] in this study utilizing data from 451,097 European participants in the UK Biobank. They examined observational as well as MR-based links between GORD and four adiposity measures [BMI, waist–hip ratio, a metabolically favourable higher body-fat percentage and waist circumference], smoking status, smoking frequency and caffeine intake. Observationally, higher odds of GORD were reported in correlation with all adiposity measures. Higher odds of GORD were observed in relation to ever and current smoking. Coffee intake was shown to be related to lower odds of GORD but, higher odds of GORD were observed in correlation with more caffeinated-coffee intake among coffee drinkers. Overall, using MR approach, experts found strong evidence that GORD results from a higher waist–hip ratio. Central fat distribution was indicated to be important in causing GORD rather than overall weight.