Cancers Potentially Preventable through Excess Weight Reduction in Germany in 2010
Obesity Facts
|October 17, 2018
Summary
Excess body weight contributes to a significant number of cancer cases in Germany. Promoting weight loss could prevent thousands of new cancer diagnoses annually.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Excess body weight is a known risk factor for numerous cancer types.
- Understanding the population-attributable risk (PAR) is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the preventive potential of body weight reduction for 13 cancer types in Germany.
- To estimate the number of cancer cases attributable to excess body weight.
Main Methods:
- Population-attributable risks (PARs) were calculated using 1998 body weight prevalence data and 2010 cancer incidence.
- Relative risks were sourced from published meta-analyses.
- Counterfactual scenarios included reducing BMI to 21 kg/m² and 5-10% weight loss.
Main Results:
- Approximately 9% of incident cancer cases in Germany (40,748 cases) were attributed to excess body weight in 2010.
- Endometrial and esophageal adenocarcinoma had the highest proportion of cases linked to excess weight.
- Significant case reductions were projected with 5% (5,572 cases) and 10% (11,427 cases) weight loss.
Conclusions:
- Excess body weight presents a substantial preventable cause of cancer in Germany.
- Public health strategies should focus on preventing weight gain and encouraging weight loss.
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