Britt W Jensen1, Lise G Bjerregaard1, Lars Ängquist1, Ismail Gögenur2, Andrew G Renehan3, Merete Osler4, Thorkild I A Sørensen5,6, Jennifer L Baker7,8. 1. Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark. 2. Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Copenhagen University, Køge, Denmark. 3. Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom. 4. Research Center for Prevention and Health, Rigshospitalet- Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark. 5. Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Section of Metabolic Genetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 6. Department of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 7. Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark. jennifer.lyn.baker@regionh.dk. 8. Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Section of Metabolic Genetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. jennifer.lyn.baker@regionh.dk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although weight gain in mid- to late adult life is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, it is unclear if increases or losses in weight from childhood to early adulthood are differentially associated with risks of adult colon cancer. METHODS: Weight and height were measured at 7 or 13 years and in early adulthood (17-26 years) in 64,675 boys in the Copenhagen School Health Records Register and the Danish Conscription Database. Cases of colon cancer (n = 751) were identified in the Danish Cancer Registry. Boys and young men were categorized as normal weight or overweight. Associations between changes in weight and colon cancer were examined using Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Compared with men with a normal weight at 7 years and in early adulthood, men with overweight at both ages had an increased risk of adult colon cancer (HR: 2.73, 95% CI 1.80-4.15). In contrast, men with overweight at 7 years, but not in early adulthood did not have an increased risk of colon cancer (HR: 0.73, 95% CI 0.35-1.54), nor did men with a normal weight at 7 years and overweight in early adulthood (HR: 1.28, 95% CI 0.96-1.70). Similar results were observed for weight status at age 13 years combined with early adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood overweight that persists into early adulthood is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, whereas overweight that disappears before early adulthood or developed after childhood is not.
BACKGROUND: Although weight gain in mid- to late adult life is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, it is unclear if increases or losses in weight from childhood to early adulthood are differentially associated with risks of adult colon cancer. METHODS: Weight and height were measured at 7 or 13 years and in early adulthood (17-26 years) in 64,675 boys in the Copenhagen School Health Records Register and the Danish Conscription Database. Cases of colon cancer (n = 751) were identified in the Danish Cancer Registry. Boys and young men were categorized as normal weight or overweight. Associations between changes in weight and colon cancer were examined using Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Compared with men with a normal weight at 7 years and in early adulthood, men with overweight at both ages had an increased risk of adult colon cancer (HR: 2.73, 95% CI 1.80-4.15). In contrast, men with overweight at 7 years, but not in early adulthood did not have an increased risk of colon cancer (HR: 0.73, 95% CI 0.35-1.54), nor did men with a normal weight at 7 years and overweight in early adulthood (HR: 1.28, 95% CI 0.96-1.70). Similar results were observed for weight status at age 13 years combined with early adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood overweight that persists into early adulthood is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, whereas overweight that disappears before early adulthood or developed after childhood is not.
Authors: Joel Nuotio; Tomi T Laitinen; Alan R Sinaiko; Jessica G Woo; Elaine M Urbina; David R Jacobs; Julia Steinberger; Ronald J Prineas; Matthew A Sabin; David P Burgner; Heikki Minn; Trudy L Burns; Lydia A Bazzano; Alison J Venn; Jorma S A Viikari; Nina Hutri-Kähönen; Stephen R Daniels; Olli T Raitakari; Costan G Magnussen; Markus Juonala; Terence Dwyer Journal: Int J Obes (Lond) Date: 2021-11-02 Impact factor: 5.095