Cancer and obesity

Does obesity increase the risk of cancer?

obesity

Obesity is measured by body mass index [BMI].

BMI determines if the weight is in a healthy range or is overweight or obese.

BMI = weight / height square; for example, for people weighing 80 kg and 170 m, BMI = 27.6

If the BMI is below 18.5, one person is underweight

It is said that if a person's body mass index is between 18.5 and 24.9, his healthy body mass index will increase.

When the BMI is between 25 and 29.9, it is defined as overweight

When the BMI is 30 or higher, the person is called obese.

How does obesity increase the risk of cancer?

Obesity increases the risk of cancer in several ways:

• Adipose tissue in the body produces excess estrogen. High levels of estrogen increase the risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, intestinal cancer and some other cancers.

• Obese people have high levels of insulin and insulin-like substances in their blood. These substances may promote the development of certain tumors.

• Fat cells produce hormones called adipokines that stimulate the growth of certain cancers.

• Obese people are said to have chronic low levels of inflammation, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer.

What is cancer associated with obesity?

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cancer:

• esophagus

• thyroid

• Colon and rectum

• kidney

• pancreas

• gallbladder

• Breast [postmenopausal]

• uterus

What other diseases are related to obesity?

In addition to cancer, obesity is a major risk factor for many diseases, including:

• diabetes

• heart disease

• hypertension

• arthritis

• sleep apnea

• depression

• asthma

• Gallbladder problem

How common is obesity?

Obesity has become a global epidemic. According to the World Health Organization [WHO]:

• Since 1980, obesity worldwide has more than doubled.

• In 2014, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years of age and older, were overweight. More than 600 million people are obese.

• In 2014, 39% of adults aged 18 and over were overweight and 13% were obese.

In the United States, approximately two-thirds of adults and nearly one-third of children are overweight or obese.

Australia is today rated as one of the most obese countries in the developed world. If weight gain continues to current levels, by 2025, nearly 80% of Australian adults and one-third of children will be overweight or obese [MODI].

If the obesity epidemic continues in its current state, despite new advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, the number of cancer cases will increase significantly, taking into account the increased life expectancy of people around the world.

According to the WHO, one third of all cancer cases are preventable. The best way to prevent cancer is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, and reduce/quit smoking.

Cancer and obesity: Do I have cancer? was originally published on Spring