A new study reveals that a person's waist size may provide a clue to his likelihood of developing cancer.
It found that men and women who carry excess weight around the waist increase their risk of developing one form of the disease by 11%, even if they exercise.
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Likewise, people who did not meet UN guidelines on exercise were four per cent more likely to develop cancer, even if they were thin around the waist.
The risk begins when the waist measurement exceeds 102 cm (40 inches) for men and 88 cm (35 inches) for women, which are the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The World Health Organization recommends 150-300 minutes of moderate exercise per week, 75-150 minutes of vigorous exercise, or a combination of both.
Moderate activities include brisk walking, intense brushing, cycling, and badminton.
Active activities include hiking, jogging, shoveling, speed biking, soccer, basketball, and tennis.
It is thought that the association may be due to excess body fat affecting hormone levels, increasing estrogen and testosterone, increasing insulin, and causing inflammation.
Each of these factors has been linked to an increased chance of developing cancer.
This study, which included more than 315,000 people, is one of the largest studies examining how to combine waist size with exercise to reduce the likelihood of cancer.
Researchers from the University of Regensburg in Germany studied people who met the World Health Organization's waist circumference or exercise guidelines, and compared them to those who did not.
During an 11-year follow-up, nearly 30,000 people in the study developed cancer.
The study essentially found that those with larger waists had an increased risk of cancer even if they exercised — and even if they had a small waist, they had an increased risk of cancer if they didn't exercise.
Failure to adhere to any of the guidelines increases a person's risk of developing cancer by 15 percent.
Previous studies have shown that exercising and following a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of developing the disease.
“Adherence to WHO guidelines on waist circumference and physical activity is essential for cancer prevention, but meeting just one of these guidelines is insufficient,” the team said in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Latest data from NHS Digital shows that 28% of adults in England are obese, and 36% are overweight, with overweight rates remaining high in recent years.
The highest obesity rates are found in the North East, while the lowest are in London.
“Small, sustainable changes”
Dr Helen Croker, associate director for research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, which funded the research, said: “These findings underscore the importance of taking a holistic approach to lifestyle rather than focusing on a single factor to reduce cancer risk.”
“Maintaining a healthy weight and, in particular, a waist circumference within the recommended level and being physically active, along with eating a healthy diet, are all crucial steps to reducing cancer risk.
“People can start by making small, sustainable changes such as incorporating regular movement into their daily routine or making healthier food choices.
“These gradual adjustments can add up to a big difference over time.”
How to measure your waist
To get an accurate measurement of your waist, you should only measure it in the morning, before eating your first meal.
Start by standing up straight, taking several deep breaths in and out, then relaxing.
Find the top of your hip bone and the bottom of your rib cage, then measure around the part of your waist in between.
Make sure the tape is snug but not too tight, and keep it flat around your body.
Exhale naturally, then check the measurement.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended waist circumference levels – defined as less than 88 cm (35 in) for women and 102 cm (40 in) for men.
Source: World Health Organization
