In obesity, what happens to intestinal motility?

• A. Transit time increases
• B. No change in motility
• C. Intestine motility increases
• D. Intestine motility decreases

Answer: (C)

In obesity, intestinal motility tends to be higher, meaning peristaltic activity and the speed of movement through the intestines are increased. This reflects changes in gut neural and hormonal signaling that amplify propulsion of contents along the tract. Faster transit through the small intestine can result from this heightened motility. If transit time were longer, or if there were no change, that would imply slower or unchanged movement, which doesn’t fit the pattern typically observed with obesity. While not universal for every individual, the best-supported pattern is increased intestinal motility.