Obesity ‘linked to cancer rise’
BBC News | Smitha Mundasad Health reporter | 7 January 2016
Rising levels of obesity and unhealthy weights could be linked to 670,000 extra cases of cancer in the next 20 years, a UK report predicts.
If current trends continue, experts say, almost three in four adults could be overweight or obese by 2035, bringing a host of health issues.
The Cancer Research UK and UK Health Forum report says TV adverts for some food should be banned before 21:00.
Health officials say they are committed to tackling childhood obesity.
Tipping the scales’
Recent studies suggest obesity is linked to several cancers – including oesophageal (gullet), womb, and bowel tumours.
And being overweight has long been associated with conditions such as diabetes and coronary heart disease.
In this study, researchers used a computer modelling system, together with historical and current health data, to predict the impact of obesity over the next 20 years.
Their work suggests a rise in the number of people who are overweight or obese would contribute to 4.6 million additional cases of type-2 diabetes and 1.6 million extra cases of heart disease by 2035.
And experts estimate this could lead to an additional £2.5bn in costs to the NHS for 2035 alone.
Sugar tax
The report recommends a number of ways to tackle this problem, including introducing a 20p per litre tax on sugary drinks and a review of how food is advertised online.
Experts behind the report say they have taken into account that increases in obesity have started to slow in the past few years.
