Obesity has long been established as a Risk factor for cancerEspecially when it is stored in certain parts of the body.
Now new research suggests that a larger waist circumference is a larger risk factor than Body Mass Index (BMI) for Obesity-related cancers – But only for men, not for women.
The findings published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute will be presented in May at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain.
BMI is a wrong way to measure obesity, researchers say
The study was led by Dr. Ming Sun, Dr. Josef Fritz and Dr. Tanja shares of Lund University in Sweden.
New research suggests that a larger waist circumference is a larger risk factor than body mass index for obesity-related cancers but not for men, not for women. (Istock)
The researchers analyzed data from 340,000 Swedish people of an average of 51 years old, of which the BMI and waist circumference assessments were carried out between 1981 and 2019, according to a press release.
They then compared those statistics with Cancer Diagnoses drawn from the Swedish cancer register.
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For a period of 14 years there were 18,185 diagnoses of obesity-related cancers in the research patients.
For menAn increase in waist circumference of approximately 11 cm resulted in a 25% higher risk of obesity-related cancer.
This was a larger risk factor than having an elevated BMI, which increased the chances by 19%.
For men, an increase in waist circumference of approximately 11 cm resulted in a 25% higher risk of obesity-related cancer. (Istock)
For women, an increase of approximately 12 cm in waist circumference and an increase in BMI was both linked to a 13% greater risk of cancer, according to the study.
Obesity-related cancers include cancers of the esophagus (adenocarcinoma), stomach (cardia), colon, rectumLiver/intrahepatic bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas, chest (postmenopausal), endometrium, ovary, kidney cell carcinoma, meningioma, thyroid and multiple myeloma, explained the release.
“BMI is a measure of body size, but does not offer any information about fat distribution, while waist circumference is a proxy that is closer related to abdominal adiposity.”
In general, the researchers found waist circumference a more accurate cancer predictor than BMI.
“BMI is a measure of body size, but offers no information about fat distribution, while waist circumference is a proxy that is closer to abdominal adiposity,” they wrote.
“This distinction is crucial because visceral fat, which accumulates around the abdominal organs, is more metabolic and is involved in adverse Health resultsIncluding insulin resistance, inflammation and abnormal blood fat mirrors. Consequently, people with comparable BMIs can have clear cancer risks as a result of differences in fat distribution. “
Why the difference between men and women?
A possible reason for gender’s discrepancy, according to the researchers, is that men more often store fat visceral (in the abdomen), while women generally collect more subcutaneous fat (under the skin) and peripheral fat (in the arms and legs).
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“Consequently, waist circumference is a more accurate size for visceral fat in men than in women,” the researchers wrote.
“This can make the waist circumference a stronger risk factor of cancer in men, and explain why waist circumference risk information information that goes beyond BMI in men, but not for women.”
The researchers suggested that combining the hip circumference with waist circumference in women could give a more accurate estimate of visceral fat. (Istock)
Excess body fat is also linked to higher insulin levels in men than with womenThe researchers noted, which could be a factor in the waist circumference that is more associated with the risk of cancer of men.
“The divergence in how waist circumference and BMI relate to the risk of cancer between men and women underlines the complexity of the impact of adipositas (surplus body fat) on the development of cancer,” the researchers wrote.
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“It suggests that considering biological and physiological differences between the sexes can be useful in assessing the risk of cancer. Further research is necessary to explore these sex differences. “
They also suggested that combining the hip circumference with waist circumference in women could give a more accurate estimate of visceral fat.
“Waist circumference is a more accurate size for visceral fat in men than in women,” the researchers wrote. (Istock)
Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of Medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News Senior Medical Analyst, was not involved in the study, but strengthened that BMI is a “good indicator of obesity, but is not the only one.”
“Belly fat contains many of the inflammatory chemicals that act as carcinogens.”
“Obesity leads to inflammation and inflammation correlates with many types of cancer, including chest and prostate and cancer of the gastrointestinal tract“He told Fox News Digital.
“It is not surprising that waist circumference in men can be a more precise indicator if it is measured well, because belly fat contains a lot of inflammatory chemicals that act as carcinogenic substances,” the doctor noted.
Obesity-related cancers include cancers of the esophagus (adenocarcinoma), stomach (cardia), colon, rectum, liver/intrahepatic bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas, chest (postmenopause), endometrium, ovary and kidle myelomcinoma. (American Cancer Society/Getty Images)
For women, where fat distribution is somewhat different, Siegel agrees that it is “logical” to consider both waist and hip circumference, as the Swedish study suggests.
“The study looks at more than 300,000 people and is an important new reference, but it is observational, so it shows an association, but no evidence,” the doctor added.
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Dr. Brett Osborn, an expert in neurosurgeon in Florida and a long service life, also described the different ways in which men and women store fat.
“While women collect more subcutaneous fat – on the hips, thighs and buttocks – men pack it around the waist, Deep in the abdomen, “Osborn, who was not involved in the study, Fox News Digital told.
“This is visceral fat, and it is metabolic toxic. It is not alone there. It is active, such as a gland, the separation of inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) that raise insulin levelsDisrupt hormones and lay the foundation for cancer cell growth. “
Strength training three times a week is ideal, a doctor advised, adding: “Resistance training reduces visceral fat and inflammation.” (Istock)
Osborn repeated that BMI is limited in his ability to accurately measure excess fat.
“First, BMI does not take muscle mass into account, so a short, stocky person with a low body fat percentage can be categorized as overweight or obese, while in fact the opposite is true,” he said.
“Secondly, BMI does not tell you where the body fat is, and it turns out that it is crucial – at least in men.”
Minimizing risk
To reduce the risk of cancer, Osborn recommends that men measure their waist to ensure that they are in a Healthy reach. People can also follow their visceral vet score on an anthropometry scale of medical quality, he said.
“Understand that belly fat is not only cosmetic – it is carcinogenic.”
“Everything above 40 inches (102 cm) is a red flag,” he told Fox News Digital.
Strength training three times a week is ideal, advised the doctor, adding, “Resistance training Reduces visceral fat and inflammation. “
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The right nutrition is also important, he said. “Eat it as your life depends on it – because that does. Stop feeding the risk of your cancer.”
“Understand that belly fat is not only cosmetic – it is carcinogenic,” Osborn added. “You may not feel it, but the clock ticks. Visceral fat is quiet, aggressive and deadly – and it does damage, even if your BMI is ‘normal’.
