Abdominal fat, a risk factor for metabolic syndrome could predict the risk of cancers, according to the rresults of a study published in the medical journal British Journal of Cancer. An addition of about 11 cm of fat around the waist would increase the risk of cancers related toobesity by 13%.
Researchers from Britain’s International Agency for Research on Cancer carried out a study with medical data from 43,000 participants who were followed for an average of 12 years. Of these, over 1,600 people have been diagnosed with obesity-related cancer.
Scientists compared adult body measurements and obesity-related cancers. Using a novel approach, scientists have shown that three different measurements of body height,BMIwaist circumference, and waist-hip ratio all predicted a similar obesity-associated cancer risk in older adults.
Too much fat around the waist predicts cancer risk
The conclusions of their measurements showed that 11 centimeters of extra waist circumference increased the risk of cancer by 13%. For stomach cancer, an increase of 8 centimeters of fat around the hips is linked to a risk of more than 15%.
“This study highlights that if you consider yourself to be overweight or obese, you are at risk of developing certain cancers, including that of the breast and theintestine says Dr. Julie Sharp, head of health information at the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
“Our results show that BMI and abdominal fat may be good predictors of the risk of obesity-related cancers.”
“It is important that people are informed about ways to reduce their risk of cancer. And while there’s no guarantee against disease, maintaining a healthy weight by eating better and practicing physical activity can help you fight against the risk of cancer”.
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