Overweight, Obesity and Cancer
By Jeannine Walston
Does obesity cause cancer?
Obesity in the U.S. according to research was 42.4% as shown from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More specifically, from 1999–2000 through 2017–2018, the prevalence of obesity increased from 30.5% to 42.4%, and the prevalence of severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2%. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer that are some of the leading causes of preventable, premature death.
Other research suggests that in some people with cancer, excessive extra weight may contribute to and cause cancer development and cancer growth. Obesity and cancer are strongly linked. Living with a healthy weight is an essential part of an integrative cancer care plan for both cancer treatment and cancer prevention.
What causes obesity?
Experts suggest that the chief causes of obesity are a sedentary lifestyle with physical inactivity and a poor diet. Exercise for Cancer and Movement provides a physical activity to help control weight. Supporting your health and healing with your proper weight is not only about the numbers you see on the scale. The food you put in your mouth defines your wellness. Learn more about Cancer Diet.
What are some potential ways in which obesity increases cancer risk and cancer growth?
Research continues to assess this important question. Some possible ways in which obesity increases cancer risk and cancer growth include the following.
- Increases inflammation in the body associated with cancer
- Increases the body’s production of hormones, including insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which stimulate tumor development and cancer growth while inhibiting cancer cell death
- Contributes to cancer growth by causing cells to divide more rapidly
- Often involves a sedentary lifestyle with physical inactivity known to contribute to many health risk factors such as cancer
- Often involves a poor diet known to contribute to many health risk factors such as cancer
How many people in the United States are overweight or obese today?
Rates of obesity have steadily increased over the past few decades in the United States.
What are some other statistics about the relationship between obesity and cancer?
If you deal with overweight or obesity, choose to change your body and health. Learn more about Cancer Diet, Exercise for Cancer, Inflammation and Cancer, and other integrative solutions, including creating an integrative cancer care plan, team, and self-care strategies.
To track more information, updated research, and other topics, visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Overweight & Obesity.