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Cancer

Childhood Obesity Linked to Higher Bowel Cancer Risk in Adulthood

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research published in the International Journal of Cancer reveals a significant link between childhood and young adult obesity and a higher risk of developing bowel cancer decades later. Experts analyzed data from 37 studies involving over 8,000 patients, finding that every increase in BMI by 5 points in young adults between 18 and 25 increased the risk of bowel cancer by 12%. In children aged 10-19, a higher BMI was linked to a 5-18% risk of developing the disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant link between childhood and young adult obesity and a higher risk of developing bowel cancer in adulthood.
  • Every increase in BMI by 5 points in young adults between 18 and 25 increased the risk of bowel cancer by 12%.
  • In children aged 10-19, a higher BMI was linked to a 5-18% risk of developing the disease.
  • A high BMI in children aged 2-9 was linked to a higher risk of colon cancer.
  • A 1kg increase in birth weight was linked to a 9% increase in bowel cancer risk.
  • Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with 44,000 cases each year.
  • Obesity rates have doubled in the UK since the 1990s, with one in four adults and one in five children obese.
  • Extra fat in the body increases cancer risk via multiple mechanisms, including fat tissue sending out signals to cells to divide more often.

Statistics:

  • 44,000 people in the UK develop bowel cancer each year.
  • Obesity rates have doubled in the UK since the 1990s, with one in four adults and one in five children obese.
  • 13 different types of cancer are linked to obesity.
  • Bowel cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer after smoking.
  • Every increase in BMI by 5 points in young adults between 18 and 25 increased the risk of bowel cancer by 12%.
  • In children aged 10-19, a higher BMI was linked to a 5-18% risk of developing the disease.

Sources:

  • International Journal of Cancer - "Early life body size and colorectal cancer risk in adulthood: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis"
  • World Cancer Research Fund International - "Global Cancer Update Programme"
  • Wageningen University & Research - "Nutrition and cancer"

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