Posted Feb 24, 2014
Syndigate.info
Obesity seems to increase the likelihood for developing precancerous growths called colorectal polyps, according to new research that offers fresh insight into colon cancer risk.
Specifically, the study links polyp risk to several key characteristics of obesity, including having elevated levels of the fat hormone leptin, having a higher body mass index (BMI) and having a larger waistline. BMI is a measurement of body fat taking height and weight into account, according to Medical Web Times.
However, investigators stressed that the current findings are not, as yet, definitive, and should not lead to any immediate revisions of current colorectal screening recommendations.
Co-author Jenifer Fenton said the study “cannot assume any cause, only association”. Fenton is an assistant professor and researcher in the department of food science and human nutrition at Michigan State University, in East Lansing. “In order to change the recommendations, which right now advise men to get screened starting at the age of 50, we’d have to find out if obese men are more likely to develop these polyps at an earlier age than their lean counterparts,” Fenton explained.
To explore a potential link between obesity and colon cancer risk, between mid-2009 and early 2011 the authors focused on 126 seemingly healthy men aged 48 to 65, all of whom were Michigan residents.
All the men underwent colonoscopies. In addition, the team noted BMI scores, waist measurements and leptin levels for all participants.
Roughly four in 10 of the men were found to be obese (with a BMI of 30 and up), with 78 percent falling into the category of either obese or overweight. And when focusing on the overweight/obese group, the team found that 30 percent had more than one polyp.
After cross-referencing overall results, the investigators determined that men who were obese faced a 6.5 times greater risk for having three or more colorectal polyps than those who were lean (with a BMI under 25).
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