Your Cart is Empty
Maintaining a healthy weight is becoming increasingly uncommon, with only one in four U.S. adults falling into that category. New research suggests excess weight may be responsible for significantly more cancers than once thought. After analyzing data from more than 450,000 people, researchers estimated that excess body fat is linked to over 11% of all cancer cases, nearly twice earlier estimates.
The study found that using better measures of body fat changed the picture dramatically. When researchers considered waist size and body fat quartiles, while correcting for biases in earlier research, excess body weight was linked to more than one in 10 cancer cases.
Body mass index (BMI) has long been the standard measure for assessing body weight because it's easy to calculate. But it isn't a direct measure of body fat. It overlooks where fat accumulates in the body, which researchers now know plays an important role in cancer risk. That's why two people with the same BMI can have very different health profiles.
Researchers tracked participants for nearly 12 years and recorded more than 50,000 cancer cases. Their findings suggest excess body fat may increase cancer risk by promoting inflammation and raising estrogen and insulin, all of which can stimulate cancer growth.
Overall, the new analysis suggests obesity may account for significantly more cancer cases than previously estimated. The findings also indicate the impact may be greater in women than men and stronger in adults younger than 60. Across nearly every measure, cancer risk climbed as body fat increased, suggesting the relationship is a gradual continuum instead of an all-or-nothing threshold.
With obesity becoming more common worldwide and people living longer, the number of cancers linked to excess weight is expected to increase substantially. The study highlights obesity prevention and treatment as powerful tools for lowering future cancer rates.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Excess Weight May Account for More Than 10% of All Cancers: The Underestimated Impact of the Obesity Epidemic
Muscles are essential to keeping the body healthy and functioning well. In addition to allowing us to move, they help regulate blood sugar, support metabolic health, and protect our joints while helping us remain independent. Yet, as we grow older, muscle strength and size naturally decline. This gradual loss can affect stability, raise the risk of falls, and make it take longer to bounce back after an injury or illness.
The strength of the skeleton is often assessed by measuring bone mineral density, which reflects how well bones can withstand damage and resist fractures. According to research, changes in the skeleton could also provide important clues about cognitive aging. A new study points to a potential connection between reduced spinal bone density, changes in the brain, and a more rapid decline in brain aging.
Many Americans consume soybean oil regularly, often without realizing how frequently it appears in processed foods. Researchers are now investigating whether this widely used ingredient may play a part in the development of obesity. In a study involving mice, scientists compared the effects of different fats on weight gain and metabolism, focusing primarily on soybean oil.