Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma diagnoses have increased markedly in recent decades. Recent research with patients diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus (the only known precursor for esophageal adenocarcinoma) and esophageal adenocarcinoma has identified several modifiable and nonmodifiable potential risk factors. Consistent risk factors for both disorders include increasing age, male sex, white non-Hispanic race/ethnicity, gastroesophageal reflux disease, lack of infection with Helicobacter pylori, smoking, abdominal obesity, and a Western diet. The authors present detailed discussions of these risk factors along with possible explanations for some apparent discrepancies and ideas for future study.