Adult Weight Change and Risk of Colorectal Cancer

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Adult weight change and risk of colorectal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition

 Colorectal cancer is of high prevalence among both men and women.  Worldwide, it is the third most common cancer in men and second most common in women.  Gaining weight during the middle stages of life increases the risk of developing chronic diseases and declining health.  It is also important to identify the source of the obesity as it relates to risk.  Waist circumference is better at identifying abdominal obesity compared to body mass index (BMI), which identifies overall obesity. 

Higher body weight is one of the risk factors of colorectal cancer risk.  This study examined the association among middle-life weight change and the risk of colorectal cancer.  Other colorectal risk factors were also assessed, including smoking, physical activity, red and processed meat consumption, fiber, and alcohol. 

There was significant association among weight change regarding colon cancer but not for rectal cancer.  Among those who gained more weight from age 20 to age 50, there was a 38% higher risk for colon cancer.  Those who gained more weight tended to have higher waist circumference, less education, higher red and processed meat consumption, and ate less fiber.  The study showed similar results regardless of sex.  Higher waist circumference was associated with greater risk of colon cancer, whereas, no association was seen among BMI differences.  This indicates higher abdominal obesity showing a greater risk than overall general obesity.

Greater weight gain during adulthood increased risk for colon cancer regardless of other colorectal risk factors examined, in both men and women.  Fiber consumption was found in the associations for men.  Those who consumed higher amounts of fiber had lower weight changes and lower risk of colorectal cancer.

Higher waist circumference increasing the risk of colon cancer indicates the significance of where fat is distributed in the body being a concern for health decline.  Early adulthood is a crucial time for creating a healthy lifestyle to maintain health throughout adulthood.  Weight management practices and nutrition education are of importance in the prevention of developing health issues like chronic diseases and cancer later in life. 

NT

Aleksandrova, K., Pischon, T., Buijsse, B., May, A.M., Peeters, P.H., Bueno-de-Mesquita, H.B.,…& Boeing, H. (2013). Adult weight change and risk of colorectal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. European Journal of Cancer, (16), 3526-3536. doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2013.06.021

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