Major Finding: Subjects who became overweight or obese after age 20 were 1.8 times more likely to have colon adenomas than were patients who maintained a normal weight.
Data Source: A prospective study of 1,865 people who underwent a screening colonoscopy.
Disclosures: None.
NEW ORLEANS — Adults who have been overweight since early adulthood are nearly twice as likely to have colon adenomas as those with a history of normal weight.
The findings, presented at the annual Digestive Disease Week, reinforce the benefit of maintaining a healthy weight throughout life, Dr. Fritz Francois of New York University wrote in a statement.
They “suggest that the chronicity of obesity is a significant risk factor for developing colon cancer. Given the continued rise in early-onset obesity, especially in minority populations, there is a need for interventions and lifestyle modifications earlier in life to help lessen this serious health risk later in life.”
Mr. Ian Fagan, a fourth-year medical student and protégé of Dr. Francois, presented the data during the meeting. The colleagues conducted a prospective study of 1,865 patients who were referred for a screening colonoscopy. Their mean age was 57 years. Body mass index was normal in 38%, whereas 39% were overweight and 23% were obese.
The patients provided information allowing the researchers to estimate their body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference at age 10 and age 20. The investigators compared the past weights to the finding of any adenoma, including advanced neoplasia, during the colonoscopy.
The subjects were divided into three groups: those who had normal weights at age 20 and at present; those who had a normal weight at 20 and were now overweight or obese; and those who had been overweight or obese since age 20.
“Race and ethnicity had a significant impact on weight change since early adulthood,” Mr. Fagan said. Sixty-one percent of Hispanics fell into the group that changed from normal weight to overweight or obese, as well as 50% of blacks, 46% of whites, and 7% of Asians.
Adenomas were significantly more common in patients who had been overweight or obese since age 10 (at a rate of 27%) and in those who went from normal weight to overweight (19%), compared with those who had maintained a normal weight (13%).
After controlling for age, gender, current BMI, U.S. birth, and red meat consumption, the investigators found that becoming overweight or obese in early adulthood almost doubled the risk of an adenoma on screening colonoscopy (odds ratio 1.8).
Disclosures: Neither Mr. Fagan nor Dr. Francois had any potential financial conflicts.
'Race and ethnicity had a significant impact on weight change since early adulthood.'
Source MR. FAGAN