title: The use and interpretation of anthropometric measures in cancer epidemiology: A perspective from the world cancer research fund international continuous update project.
abstract: Anthropometric measures relating to body size, weight and composition are increasingly being associated with cancer risk and progression. Whilst practical in epidemiologic research, where population-level associations with disease are revealed, it is important to be aware that such measures are imperfect markers of the internal physiological processes that are the actual correlates of cancer development. Body mass index (BMI), the most commonly used marker for adiposity, may mask differences between lean and adipose tissue, or fat distribution, which varies across individuals, ethnicities, and stage in the lifespan. Other measures, such as weight gain in adulthood, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, contribute information on adipose tissue distribution and insulin sensitivity. Single anthropometric measures do not capture maturational events, including the presence of critical windows of susceptibility (i.e., age of menarche and menopause), which presents a challenge in epidemiologic work. Integration of experimental research on underlying dynamic genetic, hormonal, and other non-nutritional mechanisms is necessary for a confident conclusion of the overall evidence in cancer development and progression. This article discusses the challenges confronted in evaluating and interpreting the current evidence linking anthropometric factors and cancer risk as a basis for issuing recommendations for cancer prevention.
authors.affiliation: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Elisa V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Bandera
authors.affiliation: World Cancer Research Fund International, London, UK. s.fay@wcrf.org.
authors.forename: Stephanie H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Fay
authors.affiliation: Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giovannucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Leitzmann
authors.affiliation: World Cancer Research Fund International, London, UK.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marklew
authors.affiliation: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McTiernan
authors.affiliation: International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mullee
authors.affiliation: International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Romieu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University Hospital and University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Thune
authors.affiliation: Instituto De Nutrición Y Tecnología De Los Alimentos, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; London, UK School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uauy
authors.affiliation: NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wiseman
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D015444:Exercise; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009752:Nutritional Status
keywords: adiposity; anthropometry; body composition; cancer; height