Obesity and the risk of developing cancer: what is the impact of body mass index, risks and features

Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by excessive accumulation of fatty tissue in the body.

Every year the number of people suffering from various types of obesity increases. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that that this disease is becoming more common among children. This problem occurs due to many factors: unhealthy lifestyle, unbalanced diet, sleep and rest disorders, stress, hormonal changes, disorders eating behavior - all this can lead to excess weight. There is also a hereditary predisposition, but it is realized under the influence above described external factors. It is predicted that by 2030, 60% of the world's population could be overweight or obese if trends continue.

It has long been known that obesity is a risk factor for many diseases, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and arterial hypertension. Obesity also increases the risk of developing certain types of malignant neoplasms. A number of molecular mechanisms linking excess weight and tumor development have been studied. In addition, obesity leads to disruption of the intestinal microflora, which increases the risk of colon cancer (one one of the most common malignant tumors).

BMI norm: what weight is considered overweight and how to calculate your body mass index

Obesity is divided into three degrees depending on body mass index. At the same time, the likelihood of developing chronic diseases including the development of malignant tumors, increases accordingly.

Classification of obesity degrees by BMI with risk reflection:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5, low risk of comorbidities (increased risk of other diseases).
• Normal body weight: BMI from 18.5 to 24.9, normal risk of disease.
• Overweight: BMI from 25.0 to 29.9. Please note: this is not stage 1 obesity yet, but already at this stage there is an increased risk of developing concomitant diseases.
• Obesity 1st degree: BMI from 30.0 to 34.9. There is a high risk of developing concomitant pathological conditions.
• Obesity 2 degrees: BMI from 35.0 to 39.9. The risk of developing diseases is very high.
• Obesity 3 degrees: BMI above 40.0. The risk of various pathological conditions is extremely high.

In order to track deviations in time, it is important to know how BMI is calculated. To do this, use the standard method: weight expressed in kilograms is divided by height expressed in meters squared.

BMI = WEIGHT / HEIGHT²

Example: with a weight of 51 kg and a height of 170 cm, the formula will be: 51: (1.7x1.7) = 17.6. BMI indicates underweight.

Types of obesity

1. Primary. Caused by external factors such as high-calorie diet, sedentary lifestyle, etc.
2. Secondary (symtomatic). Caused by the presence of other diseases (for example, diseases of the endocrine system, brain tumors) or taking medications that contribute to weight gain.

Several types of obesity will also be distinguished:

• Abdominal obesity (from the Latin abdomen - belly) is characterized by fat deposits in the upper body and abdominal area.
• Gynoid (lower) is distinguished by the localization of fat deposits in the thighs and buttocks.
• Mixed type of obesity, characterized by an even distribution of fat throughout the body.

In order to determine the type of obesity, it is necessary to find the ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference (WC/HR). A WC/TB ratio exceeding 1.0 in men and 0.85 in women indicates an abdominal type of obesity.

It is important to remember that not every excess of adipose tissue leads to the development of cancer pathologies. So, the fat layer performs many beneficial functions, from protective to hormonal, so it is extremely important to be attentive to your body and take into account individual parameters.

The connection between excess weight and cancer pathologies

The connection between obesity and certain types of cancer has been studied in large-scale, multi-year studies.

According to research results, overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of developing tumors of at least 13 localizations: esophagus (adenocarcinoma), gastric cardia, liver, bile bladder, pancreas, colon and rectum, kidneys, thyroid gland, breast in women (postmenopausal), endometrial, ovarian, multiple myeloma and meningioma. Moreover, obesity is associated with a worse prognosis in patients diagnosed with cancer.

The presence of excess weight negatively affects the functioning of many body systems and in almost every case leads to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and cardiovascular system.

Overweight and obesity contribute to cancer development through several mechanisms:

1. Stimulation of low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress.
2. Impaired insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway.
3. Increased estrogen levels.
4. Changes in intestinal microflora.
5. Mechanical effects of obesity leading to hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, which predispose to esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Cancer is a disease caused by a cellular mutation that produces immature cells having the ability to grow uncontrollably. In this regard, changes at the cellular level that occur in the presence of excess weight, significantly increase the risk of its development, and also have an overall negative impact on the body.

Weight loss as cancer prevention

Weight control is a must if you are truly concerned about your health. This is not a newfangled trend or imposed goals. supporters of a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. The first symptoms of obesity are easy to miss, especially if you are often stressed and for some reason cannot organize a varied and healthy daily diet. However, in the absence of proper attention, excess body weight quickly leads to the development of obesity of the first and then second type. And in the presence of a genetic predisposition and other complicating factors, more serious stages may well develop: in this case, weight loss will require an integrated approach, and often surgical intervention.

Normalization of body weight is one of the ways to prevent the development of cancer pathologies, and also - one of the methods of therapy for an already diagnosed disease. Prognosis of the patient oncology department, whose weight normalizes during treatment is much more favorable.

However, moderation is important here too. Losing body weight should occur slowly and gradually, since with sudden weight loss, the body’s defense systems are activated, which also leads to irreversible processes at the cellular level. All measures to normalize body weight must be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician.

Timely consultation and diagnosis

If you have any disturbing symptoms, it is important to immediately contact a specialist. Presence of excess weight does not always lead to the development of malignant tumors, but in each case it has a negative effect impact on the body as a whole, reducing its protective properties and disrupting the functioning of internal organs.

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