The research team, led by Dr. Yang Jinkui, an endocrinologist at Capital Medical University in Beijing, analyzed over 651,000 new cancer diagnoses. Approximately 48 percent of these cases fell into the 12 categories of obesity-related cancers as defined by the World Health Organization.
Overall, obesity-related cancer incidence in China increased by 3.6 percent annually from 2007 to 2021. For individuals aged 25-29, the rate skyrocketed to over 15 percent per year. Without intervention, obesity-related cancer cases in China could double within the next ten years.
Dr. Yang warned that failure to address this trend could severely impact China's economy and healthcare system. He suggested implementing calorie labeling and considering medication as potential strategies to combat obesity.
Interestingly, the study found that non-obesity-related cancers, such as lung and bladder cancer, maintained stable rates during the same period. Among young people, the fastest-growing obesity-related cancers include colorectal, breast, thyroid, kidney, and uterine cancers.
The researchers attribute the rise in obesity rates partly to lifestyle changes, particularly increased consumption of meat and alcohol. This study underscores the urgent need for proactive public health measures to address China's growing obesity crisis and its associated health risks.
