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A new study has revealed that excess abdominal fat, measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC), is a stronger predictor of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk than general obesity, traditionally assessed by body mass index (BMI).
Key Findings
Published in the International Journal of Obesity and led by researchers at the German Cancer Research Center, the study analyzed data from the UK Biobank cohort, encompassing 460,784 participants aged 40-69 years. Over a median follow-up of 12.5 years, 5,977 participants developed CRC.
The study found that each standard deviation (SD) increase in WHR was associated with an 18% higher risk of CRC (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18), compared to a 10% increase in risk with each SD increase in BMI (HR, 1.10). Even after adjusting for BMI, WHR remained a robust predictor (HR, 1.15), while BMI’s association with CRC risk significantly diminished after adjusting for WHR (HR, 1.04).
Importantly, WHR showed significant associations with CRC risk across all BMI categories, while BMI failed to demonstrate statistically significant associations when adjusted for WHR.
Practical Implications
The findings highlight the importance of considering central obesity measurements, such as WHR and WC, in clinical assessments of cancer risk. “[These results] underline the importance of integrating additional anthropometric measures such as WHR alongside BMI into routine clinical practice,” the researchers emphasized. Addressing central obesity could enhance CRC prevention efforts, especially given the rising global prevalence of obesity.
Study Limitations
The study relied on single-point measurements of body metrics at baseline, without accounting for weight fluctuations or lifetime obesity history. Additionally, WC includes both visceral and subcutaneous fat, which may not provide the most precise measure of central obesity. The study’s population, predominantly health-conscious and socioeconomically advantaged, may also limit the generalizability of the findings.
Moving Forward
This study underscores the need for a more nuanced approach to obesity assessment in healthcare, focusing on abdominal fat distribution rather than solely relying on BMI. Such measures could improve the early detection and prevention of CRC, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
The study authors disclosed no conflicts of interest.
