Adult height, body mass index change, and body shape change in relation to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma risk: A population‐based case‐control study in China

Abstract

The relationship between risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and adult height, changes in individual body mass index (BMI) and body shape is not established. We performed a large population‐based case‐control study, which enrolled a total of 1414 ESCC cases and 1989 controls in a high‐incidence area in China. Using face‐to‐face interview with a structured questionnaire, information on participants' heights, weights, and perceived body shapes at 20 years of age was collected. Additionally, data on weight and perceived body shape among the same participants 10 years prior to ascertainment were collected using the same method. Odd ratios (ORs) of ESCC risk in relation to BMI and body shape were estimated using unconditional logistic regression models. The adjusted results indicated that ESCC risk in adults rapidly rose as height increased, plateauing at 170 cm among men and 157 cm among women. Among participants who were underweight, normal weight, or thinner than body shape 4, body weight loss was associated with increased risk of ESCC, and body weight gain was associated with decreased incidence of ESCC (ORs ranging from 0.40 to 0.76). Notably, however, changes in body weight did not significantly affect ESCC risk among participants who were overweight, obese, or larger than body shape 3. Maintaining a fit body shape and a reasonable BMI is advisable and of vital importance to reduce the risk of ESCC, especially in high‐risk areas.

A nomogram for screening esophageal squamous cell carcinoma based on environmental risk factors in a high-incidence area of China: a population-based case-control study

“…The relationships between all identified environmental risk factors and ESCC risk have been well discussed in our previous articles [15,[17][18][19][20][21]. Although several predictive variables may not directly cause ESCC, they might be surrogate variables and their predictive values are notable [34,35].…”

“…Body mass index (BMI) (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) was calculated, and subjects were categorized as underweight (< 18.5), normal weight (≥18.5 and < 24), overweight (≥24 and < 28), obesity (≥28) based on Chinese standards. The male and female adult height were converted into four categories according to the published nonlinear relationship (male cutoff values:162, 170 and 174; female cutoff values:152, 156 and 160, respectively, unit: centimeter) [21]. Family wealth score was calculated based on the ownership of valuable home items using a multiple correspondence analysis, and was further categorized as approximate quintiles among control participants [19].…”

“…Because more than 95% of esophageal cancer cases are ESCC in China, the current study only focuses on prediction of ESCC risk [3]. We have performed a large population-based case-control study of upper gastrointestinal cancers in Taixing, a high-incidence area in China, and have systematically assessed environmental risk factors of ESCC, including family history of esophageal cancer [15], poor hygiene [16,17], tobacco and alcohol [18], low socioeconomic status [19], hot tea drinking [20], low BMI and high adult height [21], the interaction of genetic susceptibility and selected exposures [22,23], and gastric atrophy [24]. However, the combined effects of candidate risk factors have not been systematically explored.…”

Healthy Lifestyle Factors, Cancer Family History, and Gastric Cancer Risk: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in China

“…The trained staff showed and introduced the revised Stunkard Graphic Rating Scale briefly, and then asked the participants to choose the closest body type 10 years before the interview. Healthy body shapes were defined as body shape 3 and body shape 4 based on previous studies ( 23 , 25 ). Participants were asked how many times a day they brushed their teeth and were divided into ≥1/day and ≥2/day groups according to the frequency of tooth brushing.…”

miR-488-5p promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by suppressing the P53 pathway

“…According to the latest survey data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, there were 572,000 new esophageal carcinoma cases and 50.8000 deaths in 2018 (3). China has high esophageal carcinoma morbidity and mortality rates (4). Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are the two main pathological types of esophageal carcinoma (5).…”