Doubt has been cast on the theory that you can be ‘fat but fit’!
A study of almost 600,000 people and followed up over 11 years, has found that every five point increase in body mass index (BMI) is linked to an 11 per cent higher risk of obesity related bowel, breast and pancreatic cancers.
Dr. Heinz Friesling, senior author of the study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer said the study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, focused on 13 obesity related cancers in post menopausal women only.
Dr. Helen Croker, assistant Director of research and policy at World Cancer Research which funded the study said “These findings show the risk differs depending on whether people also have cardio vascular disease. So maintaining a healthy weight can offer even greater benefits for particular groups”.