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MALAGA, Spain – A groundbreaking study suggests that measuring waist circumference (WC) may be a more accurate predictor of obesity-related cancer risk in men than the commonly used body mass index (BMI). The research, to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) and published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, highlights a significant disparity between men and women in how body fat distribution impacts cancer risk.
Researchers from Lund University, led by Dr. Ming Sun, analyzed data from 339,190 Swedish individuals, tracking their BMI and WC over nearly four decades. They then compared this data with cancer diagnoses from the Swedish Cancer Register, focusing on cancers linked to obesity by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), including colon, liver, and kidney cancers.
The study revealed that for men, a roughly 11-centimeter increase in waist circumference was associated with a 25% higher risk of developing obesity-related cancers. In contrast, a similar increase in BMI only correlated with a 19% increased risk. Notably, even after accounting for BMI, a larger waist size remained a significant risk factor in men, suggesting that abdominal fat itself poses a unique threat.
However, the findings differed for women. The study found that both a 12-centimeter increase in waist circumference and a comparable increase in BMI were associated with a 13% higher risk of obesity-related cancers.
“BMI is a measure of body size, but does not provide information on fat distribution, whereas waist circumference is a proxy more closely related to abdominal adiposity,” explained the researchers. They emphasized that visceral fat, which accumulates around abdominal organs, is metabolically active and linked to harmful health outcomes.
The researchers theorized that men tend to store fat viscerally, while women accumulate more subcutaneous fat, making waist circumference a more accurate indicator of risk in men. They also suggested that differences in hormone levels and insulin concentrations might contribute to the observed sex differences.
“Our study provides evidence that waist circumference is a stronger risk factor than BMI for obesity-related cancers in men, but not in women,” the authors concluded. They recommended further research into the role of hip circumference and more precise measures of adiposity to better understand the link between body fat distribution and cancer risk.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided in a press release and upcoming scientific presentation. The findings have not yet been peer-reviewed and should not be taken as definitive medical advice. Individuals should consult with their healthcare providers for personalized risk assessments and health management strategies. The European Congress on Obesity and The Journal of the National Cancer Institute are the sources for this information.(Journal information: Journal of the National Cancer Institute )
