Obesity-related cancer rates in China were rising at an alarming 3.6% every year between 2007 and 2021, while non-obesity-related cancers remained stable, according to a study led by researchers from Capital Medical University in Beijing, China. The increase is particularly pronounced among young people, highlighting the urgent need for better public health policies to address China’s growing overweight and obesity rates.
“If we don’t drastically change the obesity epidemic, the rates of cancer associated with obesity will inevitably continue to rise,” said Dr Jin-Kui Yang, the paper’s corresponding author and an endocrinologist at Capital Medical University in Beijing. “It will place a large burden on China’s economy and healthcare system.”
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in China, with lung cancer being the most common type. However, obesity-related cancers, such as colorectal, breast, and thyroid cancers, have been growing rapidly. Previous studies have suggested that obesity will soon overtake smoking to become the main modifiable risk factor of cancer.
“Overweight and obesity rates among Chinese children and adolescents are approaching those of the US despite years of public health efforts focused primarily on raising awareness. These strategies have not been sufficient. Moving forward, we urgently need more effective and aggressive approaches, possibly including medications and calorie labelling, to reduce obesity in the country.”
Yang and his team analysed all newly diagnosed cancers in China between 2007 and 2021. During this period, the country recorded more than 651,000 cancer cases of cancer, with about 48% identified as one of the 12 obesity-related cancers recognised by the World Health Organization.
Notably, obesity-related cancer incidence increased by 3.6% per year between 2007 and 2021, while the incidence of non-obesity-related cancers, such as lung and bladder cancers, remained stable. In addition, the researchers found that obesity-related cancer incidence rose more quickly as the age group got younger. For people aged 60 to 65, obesity-related cancer rates increased by less than 1.6% per year.
Meanwhile, the rates increased by more than 15% annually among those aged 25 to 29. Moreover, people born between 1997 and 2001 were 25 times more likely to be diagnosed with obesity-related cancers compared to those born between 1962 and 1966. Colorectal, breast, thyroid, kidney, and uterus cancers were among the fastest growing obesity-related cancer types among young people.
Among 651,342 cancer cases, 48.47% were obesity related. The age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) of the 12 obesity-related cancers increased annually by 3.6% (p < 0.001), while ASRs for non-obesity-related cancers remained stable. Obesity-related The annual percentage of change decreased with age, from 15.28% for ages 25–29 years to 1.55% for ages 60–64 years. The incidence rate ratio for obesity-related cancer was higher in younger generations compared to those born in 1962–1966. The researchers predicted that the ASR for obesity-related cancers will nearly double in the next decade.
From 2007 to 2021, there were 651,342 newly diagnosed cases, covering 12.12 (2007) to 14.14 million (2021) individuals at risk. The baseline characteristics of all patients with cancer are presented in Table S1. We identified 315,685 new cases of 12 obesity-related cancers, accounting for 48.47% of all patients with cancer. Among obesity-related cancers, there were more elderly people (≥50 years) than young people, and more than half of the cases occurred among people aged 50–74 years.
“The trend is consistent with the growing overweight and obesity rates among young people in China,” Yang added.
The adoption of a Westernised lifestyle, including increased meat and alcohol consumption, contributed to the increased prevalence of obesity in China. As of 2019, 34% of Chinese adults were overweight, and 16% were classified as living with obesity. The situation is particularly concerning among children and adolescents, who are experiencing even faster increases in overweight and obesity rates.
The team predicted that, without aggressive public health measures, obesity-related cancer rates in China could double in the next decade.
“China, with the highest number of overweight and obese individuals globally, has made efforts to combat obesity through national policies and programs, but these have been insufficient,” the authors concluded. Future strategies should prioritize stronger food policies to reduce ultra-processed foods, promote healthier diets, and encourage physical activity. Additionally, cancer research should focus on understanding how obesity contributes to cancer to better identify and mitigate critical risk factors.
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
The findings were reported in the paper, 'Rising incidence of obesity-related cancers among younger adults in China: A population-based analysis (2007-2021)', published in Cell. To access this paper, please click here
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