Work

Positive Association Between Body Mass Index and the Likelihood of Reporting an Overall Cancer Diagnosis Among College Students in the United States

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Introduction We conducted the first epidemiologic study to examine the dose–response relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the likelihood of reporting an overall cancer diagnosis, along with the association between overweight or obese and cancer diagnosis among college students in the United States. Methods The American College Health Association‐National College Health Assessment (ACHA‐NCHA) self‐reported, cross‐sectional data on demographic information, physical activity, BMI, smoking status, and overall cancer from 2019 to 2022 ( n = 275,185; 0.08% cancer cases) were used. A cubic spline model and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between BMI and the likelihood of reporting a cancer diagnosis, adjusting for relevant covariates. Results The cubic spline observed that higher BMI (kg/m 2 ) was associated with a greater likelihood of reporting an overall cancer diagnosis after adjusting for age, sex, race, ethnicity, education level, physical activity, and smoking status ( p for linear relation = 0.02 and p for overall association < 0.0001). Specifically, each 1 kg/m 2 increase in BMI was associated with a 1% increase in the odds of a cancer diagnosis. Multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression analyses revealed that both overweight (30 > BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 ) [odds ratio (OR): 1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–1.34)], and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) [1.48 (1.32–1.65)] were positively associated with a cancer diagnosis. Conclusion Higher BMI, especially overweight/obesity, was associated with a greater likelihood of reporting a cancer diagnosis among college students in the United States. To prevent and control cancer, targeted interventions aimed at maintaining a healthy weight in this population are warranted.

Source: Cancer Medicine

DOI: 10.1002/cam4.71508

Authors: Shenghui Wu, Martie Thompson, Richard W. Christiana, Adam Hege, Jennifer Schroeder Tyson

Institution: Appalachian State University

Language: English

Topic: Cancer Risks and Factors

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,700