Risks from cancer to diabetes – Obnews

By News Update On Jan 20, 2025

Obesity has become a common problem in India, and various diseases are increasing due to increase in belly fat. Recently a new study has come out on obesity and its related diseases. In this report published in the British medical journal 'The Lancet', obesity is no longer measured only on the basis of BMI, but is defined on the basis of body fat and the health problems associated with it.

Relationship between obesity and cancer
Obesity not only increases the risk of health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension, but it also promotes serious diseases like cancer. Research has proven that there is a direct relationship between obesity and cancer. Obesity can increase the risk of breast cancer, cervical cancer, kidney cancer and gall bladder cancer.

Obesity increases fat in the body, which affects biological processes, increasing the risk of cancer. Obesity increases the level of hormones like estrogen and insulin in the body, due to which the cells of the body start growing uncontrolled. Additionally, obesity creates a state of chronic inflammation in the body, which can cause DNA damage and increase the risk of cancer.

Obesity will no longer be measured only by BMI
According to the new study, now instead of measuring obesity on the basis of BMI, the fat present in the body and the diseases related to it will also be taken into consideration. This has been done because on the basis of BMI, many times a person is considered to be suffering from obesity, whereas he may be physically healthy. At the same time, despite having BMI less than 23, some people may suffer from diseases.

Estimate of obesity from waist measurement
Now to measure obesity, not only BMI but also waist measurement will be important. If the waist of women is more than 34.6 inches and that of men is more than 40 inches, then it will be considered a sign of obesity and there may be a risk of diseases related to it. Apart from this, techniques like DEXA scan and waist-height ratio will also be used.

People with pre-clinical obesity will be advised to stop weight gain and adopt a healthy lifestyle. This change will improve the identification and treatment of obesity, which will make it possible to prevent cancer and other serious diseases.