Obesity-Linked Cancers More Common in UAE

A recent study has revealed that cancers commonly associated with obesity are significantly more prevalent in the UAE compared to global averages.

Esophageal cancer, for example, is three times more common in the UAE, while colon/rectal and liver cancers also occur at much higher rates.

Published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, the research indicates that addressing obesity in the Gulf region could help reduce these cancer rates.

The study analyzed the years of healthy life lost due to disability, illness, or death from various cancers, adjusting for the population's age structure to produce age-standardized, disability-adjusted life years rates (ASDR).

According to the study, the ASDR for esophageal cancer in the UAE stands at 85.07 per 100,000 people.

For colon/rectal cancer, it is 66.18 per 100,000, far exceeding the global average of 24.40 per 100,000. Liver cancer, another obesity-related cancer, has an ASDR of 35.49 per 100,000 in the UAE, nearly double the global average of 19.24 per 100,000.

Similar high rates were found in other Gulf countries.

Dr. Rbab Bajunaid from the King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre in Jeddah, the study's corresponding author, attributed the increase to rising obesity rates influenced by Western lifestyles.

Changes in diet, with higher consumption of processed and high-fat foods, are contributing factors.

The researchers noted that the surge in obesity in GCC countries over the last three decades, driven by rapid modernization and Western lifestyle adoption, has made these regions among the highest globally in obesity prevalence, even surpassing high-income countries.

Dr. Raghib Ali, principal investigator of the UAE Healthy Future Study, highlighted obesity as a significant risk factor for many cancers.

He warned that as the young population in the GCC ages, cancer rates will likely surge, with obesity exacerbating the issue.

Lifestyle Changes Essential

The increase in obesity in the UAE and other Gulf countries has also been linked to high rates of type 2 diabetes.

Similar trends are observed in other parts of the world, such as the UK, where liver cancer deaths have tripled since the early 1970s due to alcohol consumption and obesity, according to the British Liver Trust.

Dr. Bharat Pankhania from the University of Exeter Medical School in the UK explained that obesity might weaken the immune system, making it difficult for the body to eliminate cancerous cells.

He emphasized the complexity of separating the effects of diet and obesity in cancer causation.

The study's authors suggested that their findings provide crucial information for policymakers to develop effective prevention programs.

Strategies to reduce weight and promote physical activity could significantly mitigate the impact of diseases in GCC countries.

Policy Recommendations

Dr. Bajunaid recommended several approaches to reduce obesity-related cancer burdens, including public service announcements, educational campaigns, and enhanced healthcare services offering obesity prevention and treatment programs such as nutritional counseling and weight management clinics.

He also suggested that detailed food labels and taxes on unhealthy food and drinks could be beneficial.

The UAE has already implemented measures, including a 50 percent tax on carbonated drinks and a 100 percent tax on energy drinks in 2017, followed by a 50 percent tax on sugar-sweetened drinks three years later.

Dr. Pankhania advised individuals to reduce portion sizes and consider a Mediterranean-style diet to combat obesity.

By addressing obesity, GCC countries can potentially reduce the incidence of obesity-related cancers, improving public health outcomes significantly.

"In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep are essential. It's important to eat well, sleep well, and exercise regularly."

Dr. Bajunaid advised caution regarding the study's findings, highlighting that its population-based nature might not make the results applicable to individuals.

The study, titled "The Burden of Cancer-Related Deaths Attributable to High Body Mass Index in the Gulf Cooperation Council: Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBDS) 2019," was published in May.

Source: thenationalnews

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.