Rising Obesity Rates in China Lead to More Cancer Cases Among Young Adults
A recent study published in the Med journal by Cell Press has revealed a troubling trend in China: the incidence of obesity-related cancers has been increasing annually by 3.6 percent from 2007 to 2021. The study highlights an even sharper rise among younger individuals aged 25 to 29, where the rate of such cancers grew by more than 15 percent each year.
The researchers predict that, without substantial public health interventions, the incidence of obesity-related cancers in China could potentially double over the next decade. Yang Jinkui, the corresponding author of the paper and an endocrinologist at Capital Medical University in Beijing, emphasized the critical need to address the obesity epidemic to stem the rising cancer rates. He warned that if the obesity trend continues unchecked, the resulting increase in obesity-related cancers will impose a significant burden on China’s economy and healthcare system.
Yang suggested that strategies such as the use of medications and calorie labeling could be effective in tackling the growing obesity problem in the country. The research team conducted an analysis of over 651,000 newly diagnosed cancer cases in China between 2007 and 2021. Of these cases, approximately 48 percent were linked to the 12 types of obesity-related cancers recognized by the World Health Organization. In contrast, the incidence of cancers not associated with obesity, such as lung and bladder cancer, remained stable throughout the study period.
The study found that colorectal cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, kidney cancer, and uterine cancer are the fastest-growing types of obesity-related cancers among young people. It attributes this rise to changes in lifestyle, including increased consumption of meat and alcohol, which have been linked to the growing rates of obesity in China. The findings underscore the urgent need for effective public health strategies to address these issues and curb the alarming rise in obesity-related cancers.
Doubts Revealed
Obesity -: Obesity means having too much body fat. It can make people unhealthy and cause problems like heart disease and diabetes.
Cancer -: Cancer is a disease where some cells in the body grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts. It can be very serious and sometimes life-threatening.
Med journal by Cell Press -: A journal is like a special book where scientists write about their research. Cell Press is a company that publishes these journals.
Endocrinologist -: An endocrinologist is a doctor who treats problems related to hormones, like diabetes and thyroid issues.
Capital Medical University -: Capital Medical University is a big school in China where people study to become doctors and learn about medicine.
Public health interventions -: These are actions taken by the government or organizations to help people stay healthy, like promoting exercise or healthy eating.
Colorectal cancer -: This is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the digestive system.
Breast cancer -: Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the breast. It can happen to both men and women, but it is more common in women.
