The size of a man's waist may be a better indicator of his likelihood of developing cancer than body mass index (BMI), a new study has revealed. For years, NHS doctors have used BMI to assess obesity and its link to cancer risk. However, researchers found that excess belly fat raises cancer risk more than BMI alone.
Waist Size vs. BMI
Swedish scientists believe that measuring waist circumference is a more accurate way to assess cancer risk in men. A study from Lund University in Malmo analyzed health records from 339,190 people between 1981 and 2019. Men with an extra 11cm on their waistlines increased their risk of developing cancer by 25 per cent, compared to a 19 per cent higher risk with an increase in BMI of 3.7.
Gender Differences
For women, the link between waist size and BMI was less strong. Both a 12cm increase in waist circumference and a 4.3 increase in BMI were associated with a 13 per cent higher risk of cancer. The research will be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity in May and published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Beyond BMI
The authors explained that waist circumference is a better measure because BMI does not provide information on fat distribution. Stomach fat builds up around the organs, making disease more likely. The study suggests that many Britons classified as obese under the BMI system may have been wrongly diagnosed and calls for a new approach that includes waist circumference and other measurements for a more accurate assessment.
