Combining BMI with body shape better predictor of cancer risk ANI | Updated: May 10, 2021 10:35 IST
Washington [US], May 10 (ANI): A new research being presented online this year, suggests that a measure of body shape should be used alongside body mass index (BMI) to help determine the risk of obesity-related cancers.
The research was presented at the European Congress on Obesity. BMI is a simple way of measuring body fat from the weight and height of a person. But its reliability is often criticised, because it does not distinguish fat from muscle, or consider where body fat is stored or an individual s sex or age. Similarly, waist circumference takes into account belly fat, which is linked to several health risks including cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and cancer, but fails to account for height.
Obesity measures are associated with higher risk for 10 cancers
Obesity increases the risk of developing 10 of the most common cancers, regardless of how it is measured, according to a study of more than 400,000 adults in the UK, being presented at The European Congress on Obesity (ECO) held online this year, with central fatness (larger waist and hips) and general obesity (body mass index [BMI] and body fat percentage) associated with similar estimates of cancer risk.
The results suggest that BMI is an adequate measure of cancer risk from excess weight, and there is no advantage in using more complicated or expensive measures such as waist circumference or body fat percentage.
Combination of BMI and body shape predictor can help determine the risk of obesity-related cancers
New research being presented at The European Congress on Obesity (ECO) held online this year, suggests that a measure of body shape should be used alongside body mass index (BMI) to help determine the risk of obesity-related cancers.
BMI is a simple way of measuring body fat from the weight and height of a person. But its reliability is often criticized, because it does not distinguish fat from muscle, or take into account where body fat is stored or an individual s sex or age.
Similarly, waist circumference takes into account belly fat, which is linked to several health risks including cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and cancer, but fails to account for height.
Vegetarians are healthier than meat eaters, says new study
Scientists examined the relationship between diet and disease markers related to diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver, bone and joint health, and kidney function
More than 175,000 British adults took part in the study (Image: Getty)
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