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European Journal of Nutrition
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition 5/2018

Open Access 01-08-2018 | Review

Height and body fatness and colorectal cancer risk: an update of the WCRF–AICR systematic review of published prospective studies

Authors: Leila Abar, Ana Rita Vieira, Dagfinn Aune, Jakub G. Sobiecki, Snieguole Vingeliene, Elli Polemiti, Christophe Stevens, Darren C. Greenwood, Doris S. M. Chan, Sabrina Schlesinger, Teresa Norat

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 5/2018

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Abstract

Purpose

There is no published dose–response meta-analysis on the association between height and colorectal cancer risk (CRC) by sex and anatomical sub-site. We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective studies on the association between height and CRC risk with subgroup analysis and updated evidence on the association between body fatness and CRC risk.

Methods

PubMed and several other databases were searched up to November 2016. A random effects model was used to calculate dose–response summary relative risks (RR’s).

Results

47 studies were included in the meta-analyses including 50,936 cases among 7,393,510 participants. The findings support the existing evidence regarding a positive association of height, general and abdominal body fatness and CRC risk. The summary RR were 1.04 [95% (CI)1.02–1.05, I² = 91%] per 5 cm increase in height, 1.02 [95% (CI)1.01–1.02, I² = 0%] per 5 kg increase in weight, 1.06 [95% (CI)1.04–1.07, I² = 83%] per 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI, 1.02 [95% (CI)1.02–1.03, I² = 4%] per 10 cm increase in waist circumference, 1.03 [95% (CI)1.01–1.05, I² = 16%] per 0.1 unit increase in waist to hip ratio. The significant association for height and CRC risk was similar in men and women. The significant association for BMI and CRC risk was stronger in men than in women.

Conclusion

The positive association between height and risk of CRC suggests that life factors during childhood and early adulthood might play a role in CRC aetiology. Higher general and abdominal body fatness during adulthood are risk factors of CRC and these associations are stronger in men than in women.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Height and body fatness and colorectal cancer risk: an update of the WCRF–AICR systematic review of published prospective studies
Authors
Leila Abar
Ana Rita Vieira
Dagfinn Aune
Jakub G. Sobiecki
Snieguole Vingeliene
Elli Polemiti
Christophe Stevens
Darren C. Greenwood
Doris S. M. Chan
Sabrina Schlesinger
Teresa Norat
Publication date
01-08-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 5/2018
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1557-1

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