Obesity has long been established as a risk factor for cancer, especially when conserved in certain areas of the body.
Now, new research suggests that larger waist circumference is a greater risk factor than the body mass index (BMI) for obesity-related cancer, but only for men and not women.
The findings published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute will be presented at the European Conference on Obesity in Malaga, Spain in May.
BMI is the wrong way to measure obesity, researchers say
The study was led by Dr. Min Sang, Dr. Joseph Fritz and Dr. Tanja from Lund University in Sweden.
New research suggests that a large waist circumference is a greater risk factor than the body mass index for obesity-related cancer, but only for men and not women. (istock)
The researchers analyzed data from 340,000 Swedes, an average of 51 years old, who had circumference assessments of BMI and waist between 1981 and 2019, according to a press release.
These statistics were then compared with cancer diagnoses drawn from the Swedish Cancer Registry.
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Over the course of 14 years, there were 18,185 diagnoses of obesity-related cancer among patients in the study.
For men, an increase in waist circumference of approximately 11 cm increased the risk of obesity-related cancers by 25%.
This was a greater risk factor than increased BMI, increasing the likelihood by 19%.
For men, an increase in waist circumference of approximately 11 cm increased the risk of obesity-related cancers by 25%. (istock)
In women, the waist circumference increased by about 12 cm, and both increased BMI was associated with a 13% risk of cancer, the study found.
Obesity-related cancers include esophagus (aedecarcinoma), stomach (acidemia), colon, rectum, liver/intrahepatic bile duct, gallbladder, pancreas, pancreas, breast (postmenopausal), endometrium, ovaries, ovaries, renal carcinoma, goiter, goiter, goiter, goiter, goiter, goiter, goiter, goiter, goiter, goiter, goiter, goiter,
“BMI is a measure of body size and does not provide information on fat distribution, but the waist circumference is a proximity that is more closely related to abdominal obesity.”
Overall, the researchers found that the waist circumference was a more accurate predictor of cancer than BMI.
“BMI is a measure of body size, but does not provide information on fat distribution, but the waist circumference is a more closely related surrogate than abdominal fat,” they write.
“This distinction is important because visceral fat that accumulates around the abdominal organs is more metabolically active and is involved in harmful health outcomes, such as insulin resistance, inflammation, and abnormal blood fat levels. As a result, individuals with similar BMIs may have different cancer risks due to differences in fat distribution.”
Why is there a difference between men and women?
Researchers say one potential reason for gender inconsistency is that men are more likely to store fat (in the abdomen), but women are generally more likely to accumulate more subcutaneous fat (under the skin) and peripheral fat (arms and legs).
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“As a result, the waist circumference is a more accurate measure of visceral fat in men than in women,” the researchers wrote.
“This may explain why the waist circumference is a stronger risk factor for cancer in men and why the waist circumference adds risk information beyond what was conveyed by the BMI in men.”
The researchers suggested that combining the peri-hip joint with the peri-woman waist circumference could provide a more accurate estimate of visceral fat. (istock)
Excess body fat is also associated with higher insulin levels in men than women, the researchers noted.
“The divergence of how perimeters of waist and BMI are associated with cancer risk between men and women highlights the complexity of the effects of obesity (excess body fat) on cancer development,” the researchers wrote.
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“When assessing cancer risk, it suggests that considering biological and physiological differences between genders may be useful when assessing gender risk. Further research is needed to explore these gender differences.”
They also suggested that combining the peri-hip joint with the peri-female waist circumference could result in a more accurate estimate of visceral fat.
“Waist perimeter is a more accurate measure of visceral fat in men than in women,” the researchers wrote. (istock)
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst and professor of clinical medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News, was not involved in the study, but strengthened BMI by saying, “a good indicator of obesity, but not the only one.”
“Belly fat contains many inflammatory chemicals that act as carcinogens.”
“Obesity leads to inflammation, and inflammation correlates with many types of cancer, including cancers of the breast, prostate and gastrointestinal tract,” he told Fox News Digital.
“It's not surprising that belly fat contains many inflammatory chemicals that act as carcinogens, so if the periphery of a man's waist is measured properly, it could be a more accurate indicator,” the doctor noted.
Obesity-related cancers include esophagus (adenocarcinoma), stomach (acidemia), colon, rectum, liver/intrahepatic bile duct, gallbladder, pancreas, pancreas, breast (postmenopausal), endometrium, ovaries, renal carcinoma, goiter, goiter, nephroma, nephroma, nephroma, tumor, ovarian, nephroma, tumor, ovarian, nephroma, breast, ovarian. (American Cancer Society/Getty Images)
For women with slightly different fat distributions, Siegel agrees that it “makes sense” to consider both the waist and hip surroundings, as Swedish studies suggest.
“The study examines over 300,000 people, an important new reference, but is relevant because it is observational, but not evidence,” the doctor added.
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Dr. Brett Osborne, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, detailed the various ways men and women can store fat.
“Women accumulate more subcutaneous fat, but men stuff their hips, thighs and butts. It's deep in the abdomen,” Osborne, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
“This is visceral fat, metabolically toxic. It's not just sitting there. It's active like a gland, secretes inflammatory chemicals (cytokines), raises insulin levels, destroys hormones, and lays the foundation for the growth of cancer cells.”
Strength training is ideal three times a week, one doctor added, “Resistance training reduces visceral fat and inflammation.” (istock)
Osborn reiterated that BMI's ability to accurately measure excess fat is limited.
“Firstly, because BMI doesn't take muscle mass into consideration, stubborn individuals with short, low body fat percentages can be classified as overweight or obese if the opposite is actually true,” he said.
“Secondly, BMI doesn't tell you where your body fat is. After all, that's what matters – at least for men.”
Minimize risk
To reduce the risk of cancer, Osborne recommends men measure their waistline to ensure that they are within a healthy range. People can also track visceral fat scores on medical grade anthropometric scales, he said.
“Understanding that belly fat is not just cosmetics, it's carcinogenic.”
“Anything over 40 inches (102 cm) is a red flag,” he told Fox News Digital.
He advised strength training is ideal three times a week, adding that “resistance training reduces visceral fat and inflammation.”
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Proper nutrition is also important, he said. “Eating like your life depends on it — because you do. Stop putting yourself at risk for your cancer.”
“Understanding that belly fat is not just cosmetics, it's carcinogenic,” Osborne added. “You may not feel it now, but the clock is ticking. The visceral fat is quiet, aggressive and deadly. And it's damaging even if your BMI is “normal.” ”
