New research suggests that measuring waist circumference is more accurate than traditional body mass index (BMI) scores in predicting cancer risk, particularly in men. A study by researchers from Lund University in Sweden analyzed the health records of over 339,000 people between 1981 and 2019, finding a significant link between increased waist size and obesity-related cancer.
Conventional BMI measurements have long been used to diagnose obesity and its associated risks, but experts now believe that waist circumference is a more reliable predictor of cancer risk. The study found that waist size was as effective as BMI in women, highlighting the importance of considering this metric for both men and women.
The research highlights the significant impact of obesity on cancer risk, with smoking being the second-largest avoidable risk factor. Obesity costs the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) around £11 billion annually. The study’s findings emphasize the need for more accurate methods to assess and mitigate cancer risks associated with weight gain.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/23/waist-size-better-predictor-of-cancer-risk-in-men-than-bmi