A NEW study has revealed that childhood obesity at the time of cancer diagnosis is associated with lower event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates. The research, conducted in Canada, analysed data from the Cancer in Young People in Canada database, covering 11,291 children aged 2 to 18 diagnosed with cancer between 2001 and 2020.
The study found that 10.5% of the children were obese at diagnosis, with obesity defined as having a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for their age and sex. Using statistical models that adjusted for factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, and cancer type, the researchers determined that obesity was independently linked to worse outcomes. Specifically, obesity at diagnosis was independently associated with inferior EFS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.32; p=0.02) and OS (aHR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.11–1.49; p=0.001).
The negative impact of obesity was most pronounced in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and central nervous system (CNS) tumours. In these groups, the risk of poorer survival outcomes was significantly higher; in children with ALL (n=3458), obesity remained associated with inferior EFS (aHR: 1.55; p=0.002) and OS (aHR: 1.75; p=0.002)
This study highlights the importance of addressing obesity in paediatric cancer care, particularly for those with ALL and CNS tumours, as early interventions could potentially improve survival rates. The findings underscore the need for further research into the mechanisms linking obesity with poorer cancer outcomes in children.
Helena Bradbury, EMJ
Reference
Sassine S et al. Impact of obesity on outcome in children diagnosed with cancer in Canada: A report from Cancer in Young People in Canada. Cancer. 2025;131(2):e35673.
