by New research from the University of Gothenburg has added to the growing body of evidence linking weight to cancer. The study, which looked at 1,489,115 men enlisted in then-mandatory military service in Sweden between 1968 and 2005, found significantly higher risks of 17 different cancers among men who were overweight during their youth.
Researchers analyzed the body mass index (BMI) of the participants, independent of aerobic fitness level, and found that those with a high BMI at conscription had a higher risk of developing lung, head and neck, brain, thyroid, esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, liver, colon, rectal, kidney, and bladder cancer, as well as malignant melanoma, leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma (Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s).
The study also found that several cancers were more prevalent among men with a BMI within the “normal” range of 20-22.4. These included cancers of the head and neck, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, kidney, malignant melanoma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Dr. Aron Onerup, the first author of the study, stated that overweight and obesity at a young age increase the risk of developing cancer, emphasizing the need to address the alarming trend of obesity in childhood and adolescence.
These findings suggest that the current definition of a normal weight may be more applicable to older adults, while a lower range may be optimal for young adults. Dr. Maria Åberg, the senior author of the study, highlighted previous research that drew similar conclusions regarding BMI and cardiovascular disease in early adulthood.
While BMI does not provide a complete picture of an individual’s weight or health status, the study revealed significant associations between BMI and cancer risk. Men with a high BMI at the time of enrollment were three to four times more likely to develop abdominal cancers later in life, including esophageal, stomach, and kidney cancer. The research estimates that weight issues in youth explain 15-25% of cases of these cancers in Sweden today.
Furthermore, the study found that overweight or obese men had a higher risk of death within five years of receiving a diagnosis for skin cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, thyroid, bladder, and prostate cancer. They were also more likely to die from cancers of the head and neck, rectum, and kidneys.
These findings are consistent with a previous study that linked high BMI to a greater risk of 18 different cancers in Spanish adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recognizes the role of weight in the prevalence of 13 different cancers.
The CDC notes that while obesity does not guarantee cancer, individuals can mitigate their risk through lifestyle choices and medical intervention. The study emphasizes the importance of regular health check-ups and early disease detection. As obesity rates continue to rise, healthcare systems may face increasing pressure in managing the growing prevalence of weight-related cancers among aging populations.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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