Obesity-related cancer deaths have tripled in the United States over the past 20 years, according to a new study presented at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, California. Researchers analyzed more than 33,000 deaths from obesity-related cancers. The findings show a sharp increase in death rates, with the most significant increases among women, older adults, Native Americans and Black Americans.

"Obesity is an important risk factor for many cancers and is responsible for a significant number of deaths," said lead researcher Faizan Ahmed, MD, of Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune City, N.J. "This study highlights the need for targeted public health strategies, such as early screening and improved care, especially in high-risk rural and underserved areas."

Obesity is widespread in the United States, affecting 40.3 percent of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Obesity is considered a complex disease, influenced by multiple factors including genetic, hormonal, physiological, environmental and developmental factors.

In addition to cancer, obesity increases the likelihood of developing a variety of chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and chronic and end-stage renal disease.

13 cancers linked to obesity

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of 13 types of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These cancers account for 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year.

They are:

  • Esophageal adenocarcinoma

  • Breasts (women who have gone through menopause)

  • colon and rectum

  • Uterus

  • gallbladder

  • upper abdomen

  • kidney

  • liver

  • ovary

  • pancreas

  • thyroid

  • Meningioma (a type of brain cancer)

  • multiple myeloma

FaizanUsing mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 33,572 obesity-related cancer deaths in the United States between 1999 and 2020 were analyzed. He found that age-adjusted death rates rose from 3.73 to 13.52 per million over two decades, with sharp increases among women, older adults, blacks, Native Americans and rural populations.

From a regional perspective, obesity-related cancer mortality rates are highest in the Midwest and lowest in the Northeast. State-level analysis showed that Vermont, Minnesota and Oklahoma had the highest obesity-related cancer death rates, while Utah, Alabama and Virginia had the lowest.

Compiled from /scitechdaily