Overweight, Obesity in Early, Middle Adulthood Increases Risk for GI Cancers

THURSDAY, May 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Overweight and obese body mass indices (BMIs) in early and middle adulthood are associated with a higher risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) and non-CRC gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, according to a study published online May 10 in JAMA Network Open.

Holli A. Loomans-Kropp, Ph.D., and Asad Umar, Ph.D., D.V.M., both from The Ohio State University in Columbus, investigated the association between BMI and GI cancer risk (CRC and non-CRC GI cancer) among 135,161 participants aged 55 to 74 years.

The researchers found that overweight BMI in early adulthood (hazard ratio [HR], 1.23), middle adulthood (HR, 1.23), and later adulthood (HR, 1.21) as well as obese BMI in middle adulthood (HR, 1.55) and later adulthood (HR, 1.39) were associated with an increased risk for CRC. For overall GI and non-CRC GI risk, similar results were seen for the association with BMI in middle and later adulthood. Increased CRC risk was seen for those maintaining overweight or obese BMI or increasing BMI to overweight or obese in later adulthood. This association was not significantly modified with aspirin use three or more times per week.

"These findings suggest that overweight and obese BMI over time may increase one's risk of gastrointestinal cancer," the authors write. "The results of the current study prompt further exploration into the mechanistic role of obese BMI in carcinogenesis."

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