Does Being Overweight Affect Your Risk of Cancer?

Maintaining a healthy weight can not only decrease your risk of certain cancers, but it is also key to heart health, diabetes control, and overall well-being. ShutterStock

Did you Know?

With the exception of smoking, nothing else affects your overall risk of cancer more than being overweight. According to an International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Working Group, these 13 different cancers have been linked to being overweight or obese:

• Endometrial: 7X as likely in people with severe obesity; 2–4X as likely in people who are obese or overweight
• Esophageal adenocarcinoma: 4.8X as likely in people with severe obesity; 2.4–2.7X as likely in people who are obese; 1.5X as likely in overweight individuals
• Gastric cardia: 2X as likely in obese individuals
• Liver: 2X as likely in obese or overweight individuals
• Kidney: 2X as likely in obese or overweight individuals
• Multiple myeloma: 1.1–1.2X as likely in obese or overweight individuals
• Meningioma: 1.5X as likely in obese individuals; 1.2X as likely in people who are overweight
• Pancreatic: 1.5X as likely in obese or overweight individuals
• Colorectal: 1.3X as likely in obese individuals
• Gallbladder: 1.6X as likely in obese individuals; 1.2X as likely in people who are overweight
• Breast: 1.2–1.4X as likely in obese or overweight individuals; 1.2X as likely for every 5-unit increase in BMI; 0.8 X as likely in obese or overweight individuals
• Ovarian: 1.1X as likely for every 5-unit increase in BMI
• Thyroid: 1.3X as likely in obese individuals; 1.26X as likely in people who are overweight

Calculating Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

Your BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. The categories are:

• Underweight = <18.5 BMI
• Normal weight = 18.5–24.9 BMI
• Overweight = 25–29.9 BMI
• Obesity = BMI of 30+

Use this handy app to determine your Body Mass Index: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm

Or view the chart at this link: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmi_tbl.htm

Holding the Line with Your BMI

Maintaining a healthy weight can not only decrease your risk of certain cancers, but it is also key to heart health, diabetes control, and overall well-being. Work with your health care provider to determine the best diet for you. Also check out these links for additional information: