This body measurement can predict the risk of cancer in men

Obesity has long been associated with an increased risk of health problems, including cancer. However, scientists have recently discovered that a specific body measurement in men can serve as a strong predictor of their risk of cancer.

Although the body mass indicator (BMI) serves as a strong health adversity indicator, the latest test Published in the National Cancer Institute, the waist circumference is an even stronger risk predictor in men.

The study showed that with an additional 4-inch increase in the size of the waist, the risk of cancer increases by 25 percent in men. For comparison, BMI growth by 3.7 kg/m² (e.g. from 24 to 27.7) increased the risk by 19%. Thus, even taking into account BMI, the large circumference of the waist was still associated with a higher risk of developing tumors associated with obesity in men.

This is due to the fact that, unlike BMI, which only measures the size of the body, the waist circumference reflects abdominal fat, a key factor associated with increased health threats, such as insulin resistance, inflammation and abnormal blood fat levels. This explains why even with the same BMI differences in fat distribution can lead to different risk of cancer.

However, the study showed that for both women the circuit of the waist and BMI had a similar impact on the risk of obesity tumors, but the relationship was weaker than in men. For example, the increase in the size of the waist by 12 cm (e.g. from 80 cm to 91.8 cm) or BMI growth by 4.3 (e.g. from 24 to 28.3) raised a risk by 13%.

Scientists attribute a difference in the risk of cancer between men and women in a way of decay of fat in the body. Men tend to accumulate more visceral fat around the abdomen, which is more metabolic and associated with higher health threats, including cancer. On the other hand, women usually store fat more evenly in peripheral areas, such as hips and thighs, where it is a lower risk.

“Our study provides evidence that the waist circumference is a stronger risk factor than BMI in the case of cancer-related cancers in men, but not in women. In addition, the waist circumference seems to provide additional information about the risk transmitted by BMI in men”-the scientists in the press release have been.

“Future studies covering more precise measurements of obesity, along with comprehensive data on potential confusing factors, can further explain the relationship between fat fat distribution and the risk of cancer,” they added.