Major Finding: Subjects who become overweight or obese in early adulthood are almost twice as likely to have colon adenomas than patients who maintain a normal weight.
Data Source: A prospective study of 1,865 people who underwent a screening colonoscopy.
Disclosures: None.
NEW ORLEANS — Adults who have been overweight since early adulthood are nearly twice as likely to have colon adenomas as those with a history of normal weight.
The findings reinforce the benefit of maintaining a healthy weight throughout life, Dr. Fritz Francois of New York University said in a written statement. “Our conclusions suggest that the chronicity of obesity is a significant risk factor for developing colon cancer. Given the continued rise in early-onset obesity, especially in minority populations, there is a need for interventions and lifestyle modifications earlier in life to help lessen this serious health risk later in life.”
Ian Fagan, who is a fourth-year medical student at the university, presented the data at the annual Digestive Disease Week. The colleagues conducted a prospective study of 1,865 patients who were referred for a screening colonoscopy. The patients' mean age was 57 years. Body mass index (BMI) was normal in 38%, whereas 39% were overweight and 23% were obese.
The researchers estimated BMI and waist circumference at age 10 and age 20 by having patients recall their clothing size and complete a validated questionnaire that included sketches of different body outlines. The subjects were divided into three groups: normal weight at age 20 years and at present; normal weight at 20 and now overweight or obese; and overweight or obese since age 20.
“We noticed right away … that race and ethnicity had a significant impact on weight change since early adulthood,” Mr. Fagan said. Sixty-one percent of Hispanics fell into the group that changed from normal weight to overweight or obese, as well as 50% of blacks, 46% of whites, and 7% of Asians.
Adenomas were significantly more common among patients who had been overweight or obese since age 10 (at a rate of 27%) and among those who went from normal weight to overweight (19%), compared with those who had maintained a normal weight (13%).
After controlling for age, gender, current BMI, U.S. birth, and red meat consumption, the investigators found that becoming overweight or obese in early adulthood almost doubled the risk of an adenoma on screening colonoscopy (odds ratio 1.8).
Becoming overweight or obese in early adulthood almost doubled the risk of an adenoma.
Source MR. FAGAN