Study explores ties between BMI at young age, colorectal cancer

Article content

A new study suggests that increased body mass index among toddlers can lead to a greater risk of developing colorectal cancer as an adult.

“Although the relationship between adult body size and colorectal cancer risk is well-documented, the potential influence of measures of body size during early life is less understood,” said Dieuwertje Kok, associate professor of nutrition and cancer at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands, per the New York Post.

Kok and her colleagues analyzed 37 studies tracking how weight, height and body size in childhood and young adulthood could impact the risk of colorectal cancer later in life.

The researchers found that, for young adults aged 18-25, every five-point increase in body mass index above the healthy range raised colon cancer risk by 12%. For teens between 10-19, that risk climbs between 5% and 18%. Even toddlers with a high BMI are linked to greater risk.

Every extra kilo (2.2 pounds) at birth over “normal” birth weight — that’s 2.5 kilograms to 4 kilograms — was tied to a 9% greater chance of developing colorectal cancer down the road.

“Cancer is a complex disease which develops over several decades, so better understanding of its early origins is critical for more effective prevention efforts and understanding the research gaps,” said Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at World Cancer Research Fund International. “The results of this study show that raised body mass index across childhood through young adulthood is an important risk factor for colorectal cancer.”

Recommended video

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

Colorectal cancer has long been associated with older adults, namely people over 65. But rates among those under 50 have been increasing since the 90s.

Those born between 1981-1996 face twice the risk of colorectal cancer as compared to people born in 1950, according to the University of California Davis Health.

Scientists suspect that ultra-processed foods and certain diets have impacted the rise in colorectal cancer in young people.

In 2025, the American Cancer Society estimates about 154,270 U.S. adults will be diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer — and roughly 52,900 will die from it.

For more health news and content around diseases, conditions, wellness, healthy living, drugs, treatments and more, head to Healthing.ca – a member of the Postmedia Network.