Being obese as a teenager is linked to an increased risk of these many cancers

In France, around 17% of adults are affected by obesity, according to the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). This disease can be associated with numerous complications such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular, renal, respiratory pathologies or even cancers.

A correlation between a high BMI and the risk of certain cancers

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg recently suggested that a high body mass index (BMI) at age 18 is associated with increased risks of several cancers in adulthood. This work was published in the journal obesity.

For the purposes of this research, scientists examined the medical data of 1,489,115 men aged 16 to 25, who took the conscription exam for military service in Sweden from 1968 to 2005. Nearly 78,217 Participants developed cancer during the mean follow-up of 31 years.

A person is considered overweight when their BMI is between 25.0 and 29.9 kg/m². These are moderate obesity between 30.0 and 34.9 kg/m², and severe obesity between 35.0 and 39.9 kg/m².

Obesity in adolescents: a 3 to 4 times higher risk of cancer of the esophagus, stomach and kidney

Researchers found that a high BMI increases the risk of developing 18 cancers: malignant melanoma, leukemia, myeloma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cancers of the lungs, head and neck, systemic central nervous system, thyroid, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver and gallbladder, colon, rectum, kidneys and bladder. Men who were obese at the age of 18 had a three to four times higher risk of developing cancer of the esophagus, stomach and kidney.

However, the risks of certain cancers such as head and neck, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver and kidney, as well as malignant melanoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, were already high when The adolescent’s BMI was between 20 and 22.4, which corresponds to normal weight.“This suggests that the current definition of normal weight may apply primarily to older adults, whereas a young adult’s optimal weight is likely in a lower range. Our research group drew similar conclusions regarding BMI in early adulthood and later cardiovascular disease.”noted Maria Åberg, lead author of the study and professor of family medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.

However, it is important to emphasize that these associations between adolescent obesity and adult cancer risks are limited. Indeed, they correspond to results obtained in older participants. Additional research is therefore required to confirm these initial results.