Does Being Overweight Affect Your Risk of Cancer?

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)
James Templeton
5/17/2022
Updated:
3/24/2023

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:
The Link Between Fast Food and Cancer Macrobiotic Diet Secrets This 7-year Survivor Beat Stage IV Brain Cancer Diagnosis by Basically Changing His Diet! Say Goodbye to Sugar if You Want to Beat Cancer Keto and Paleo Diets: Are They Right for You?

Eating Out—A Guide to the Healthiest Restaurants in America

If you’re battling cancer, you are wise to prepare your meals at home whenever possible. That way, you have complete control over your diet. But it isn’t always possible to eat at home, especially when you’re traveling, celebrating, or those times when you simply need a break from cooking. That’s why I developed The Templeton List, your guide to the healthiest restaurants in America.
We know you don’t always have the time (or energy) to track down healthy restaurants options, but that doesn’t mean you can’t locate the healthiest dining options near you. This easy-to-use interactive restaurant locator includes thousands of restaurants across the country that have been evaluated using our 5-Star rating system to determine adherence to our strict ingredient, preparation, and environmental guidelines.
When you have cancer, every choice you make can take you one step closer to health… or one step back. You have an obvious choice in the food you eat. Check out exceptionally healthy restaurants on The Templeton List at this link: https://templetonlist.com/ — and tell them we sent you!
This story was originally published on the Templeton Wellness site.
James Templeton founded Uni Key Health Systems in 1992 and now the Templeton Wellness Foundation as a way of giving back and helping others achieve the health and wellness they are seeking.
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