New research has revealed a link between height, obesity, and an increased risk of colorectal cancer across various ancestral groups. Previous studies have already established a connection between height and fat accumulation around the waist in people of European ancestry. A study published in 2022 showed that individuals of European ancestry who are tall and centrally obese, as well as those with general obesity, have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. The recent study analyzed health data reported for 329,828 U.K. Biobank participants of Caucasian, African, Asian, and/or Chinese ancestries, showing that this pattern exists across all groups.
Height, obesity, and fat distribution were assessed to determine the impact on an individual’s risk of colorectal cancer. Participants were divided into four groups based on their body shape, which included height and fat distribution. The study found that individuals with general obesity and those who were tall with centrally distributed fat had a higher risk of colorectal cancer. Genetic analysis was also performed, identifying genetic variants associated with different body shapes. These genetic variants were differentially expressed in various tissues across different body categories.
The study’s findings confirmed that fat accumulation around the abdomen is linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer, with the increased risk seen in individuals of different ancestral backgrounds. Genetic expression in different tissues was found to be associated with body shape categories, suggesting potential mechanisms underlying the link between body shape and cancer risk. Despite the established link between height and increased cancer risk in previous research, the study authors believe that this relationship has been overstated in the absence of considering waist-to-height ratio and central adiposity.
Future research will focus on identifying the genes responsible for the relationship between body shapes and genetic expression to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these findings. The study’s findings have raised questions about the relative importance of cell number versus adiposity in the incidence of colorectal cancer. Further research investigating the impact of body shape on the composition of proteins in the body could provide valuable insights into the link between body shapes and cancer development. By exploring these avenues, researchers aim to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to colorectal cancer risk and potential preventive measures.
