Excess Body Weight and Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk

Abstract

Background: Excess body weight (EBW), defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m², has become the second most important as well as a potentially modifiable risk factor for cancer in many industrialized countries. The more excess weight people have, the higher the risk of certain cancers. Over the past several decades, EBW has been increasing globally not only among adults, but also among children and adolescents. Summary: EBW is causally associated with colorectal, esophageal (adenocarcinoma), gastric (cardia), pancreatic, biliary and hepatocellular cancer. EBW when combined with tobacco smoking, risky alcohol use, or diabetes can act synergistically to cause gastrointestinal cancer. In recent years, more and more young adults (20–40 years old) were diagnosed with EBW-associated neoplasms. People with EBW should be encouraged to join cancer screening programs. Key Messages: Keeping a healthy weight is a major public health concern and reduces the risk of cancer.