Big belly increases cancer risk
Source: Agencies |
November 5, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
OLDER adults who are heavy, especially around the middle, seem to have a higher risk of developing colon cancer than their thinner peers - and exercise may lower the incidence of the disease, especially for women, according to a European study.
More than 120,000 adults in the Netherlands aged 55 to 69 were followed for 16 years by the study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
About two percent developed colorectal cancer, tumors of the colon and/or rectum, though most were diagnosed with colon cancer.
The risk was 25 percent higher for men who were significantly overweight or obese at the outset, compared to normal-weight men.
"The study provides further evidence that excess body fat may contribute to a higher risk of colorectal cancer," said lead researcher Laura Hughes, at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
Men with the biggest bellies had a 63 percent greater risk of colorectal cancer than those with trim midriffs. Among women, a large waistline was linked to a higher cancer risk in those who also exercised little.
Belly fat seems to be particularly linked to chronic, low-level inflammation in the body, Hughes said.
More than 120,000 adults in the Netherlands aged 55 to 69 were followed for 16 years by the study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
About two percent developed colorectal cancer, tumors of the colon and/or rectum, though most were diagnosed with colon cancer.
The risk was 25 percent higher for men who were significantly overweight or obese at the outset, compared to normal-weight men.
"The study provides further evidence that excess body fat may contribute to a higher risk of colorectal cancer," said lead researcher Laura Hughes, at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
Men with the biggest bellies had a 63 percent greater risk of colorectal cancer than those with trim midriffs. Among women, a large waistline was linked to a higher cancer risk in those who also exercised little.
Belly fat seems to be particularly linked to chronic, low-level inflammation in the body, Hughes said.
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