Study: Obesity in youth increases risk of cancer with age
A South Korean study involving more than 6 million people revealed that obesity in youth increases the risk of cancer with age, especially cancers of the thyroid, ovaries, endometrium, and breast.
A recent study conducted in South Korea on more than 6 million people revealed that obesity in youth increases the risk of cancer with age. The study, conducted by researchers from the Catholic University of Korea, Sungkyunkwan University, and Soongsil University, followed the health status of more than 6 million adults aged 20 to 39 for 10 years, all of whom were healthy at the start. The study found that 1.8% of volunteers who were not obese developed cancer within 10 years, compared to 2.2% among those who were obese, and 2.6% among those who were severely obese. The researchers concluded that abdominal fat concentration increases the overall risk of cancer. The study, published in the scientific journal Annals of Internal Medicine, indicated that obesity is particularly linked to thyroid, ovarian, and endometrial cancers, while researchers found concrete evidence linking obesity to breast cancer. The researchers emphasized in statements reported by the specialized website HealthDay the importance of maintaining weight in early youth. The study members believe further research is needed to confirm whether weight loss helps reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.