Table 1 Summary of relative risks from meta-analyses on the association between obesity and risk of cancer

Colorectal

Ma Y et al., 2013

1.334 (1.253-1.420)

41 prospective studies

Matsuo K et al., 2012

Per 1 kg/m²: 1.03 (1.02-1.04); Males: 1.02 (1.00-1.03); Females: 1.02 (1.00-1.03)

8 cohort studies

Ning Y et al., 2010

Per 5 kg/m²: 18% increased risk

56 studies

Harriss DJ et al., 2009

Per 5 kg/m²: 1.24 (1.20-1.28)

3 ca/co and 26 cohort studies

Moghaddam AA et al., 2007

1.19 (1.11-1.29)

23 cohort and 8 ca/co studies

Dai Z et al., 2007

Males: 1.37 (1.21-1.56); Females: 1.07 (0.97-1.18)

15 cohort studies

Larsson SC et al., 2007 (Am J Clin Nutr)

Per 5 kg/m²: Males: 1.30 (1.25-1.35); Females 1.12 (1.07-1.18)

30 prospective studies

Upper Gastrointestinal

Hoyo C et al., 2012

2.39 (1.86-3.06)

12 ca/co studies

Yang P et al., 2009

1.22 (1.06-1.41)

10 cohort studies

Larsson SC et al., 2007 (Br J Cancer, Vol.96)

1.66 ( 1.47-1.88)

3 ca/co and 8 cohort studies

Kubo A et al., 2006

Males: 2.40 (1.90-3.20); Females: 2.10 (1.40-3.20)

2 cohort and 12 ca/co studies

Liver

Rui R et al., 2012

1.35 (1.24-1.47)

12 prospective studies

Chen Y et al., 2012

1.83 (1.59-2.11)

26 prospective studies

Larsson SC et al., 2007 (Br J Cancer, Vol.97)

1.89 (1.51-2.36)

11 cohort studies

Wang Y et al., 2012

Per 5 kg/m²: 1.39 (1.25-1.55)

21 prospective studies

Lung

Yang Y et al., 2013

0.79 (0.73-0.85)

20 cohort and 11 ca/co studies

Pancreatic

Aune D et al., 2012

Per 5 kg/m²: 1.10 (1.07-1.14)

23 prospective studies

Genkinger JM et al., 2011

1.30 (1.09-1.56)

14 cohort studies

Jiao L et al., 2010

1.19 (1.05-1.35)

7 prospective cohorts

Berrington de Gonzalez A et al., 2003

1.19 (1.10-1.29)

8 cohort and 6 ca/co studies

Kidney

Mathew A et al., 2009

Per unit BMI: Cohorts: 1.06 (1.05-1.07); ca/co: 1.07 (1.06-1.08)

15 cohort and 13 ca/co studies

Bergström A et al., 2001

Per unit BMI: 1.07 (1.05-1.09)

6 cohort and 22 ca/co studies

Bladder

Qin Q et al., 2013

1.10 (1.06-1.16)

11 cohort studies

Prostate

Discacciati A et al., 2012

Locally advanced per 5kg/m² 0.94 (0.91-0.99); Advanced 1.09 (1.02-1.16)

25 prospective studies

MacInnis RJ et al., 2006

Per 5 kg/m²: 1.05 (1.01-1.08)

31 cohort and 25 ca/co studies

Breast

Cheraghi Z et al., 2012

Pre-menopausal: 0.93 (0.86-1.02); Post-menopausal: 1.15 (1.07-1.24)

50 studies

Pierobon M et al., 2013

1.20 (1.03-1.40); Pre-menopausal: 1.43 (1.23-1.65); Post–menopausal: 0.99 (0.79-1.24)

11 ca/co studies

Key TJ et al., 2003

1.36 (1.10-1.85)

8 prospective studies

Ovarian

Olsen CM et al., 2007

1.30 (1.10-1.50)

13 ca/co and 12 cohort studies

Endometrial

Esposito K et al., 2014

2.21 (1.50-3.24)

4 ca/co and 1 cohort studies

Melanoma

Sergentanis TN et al., 2013

Males: 1.31 (1.19-1.44); Females: 0.99 (0.83-1.18)

11 ca/co and 10 cohort studies

All cancers

Renehan AG et al., 2008

Per 5kg/m²: Men: Oesophageal: 1.52 (1.33-1.74); Thyroid: 1.33 (1.04-1.70); Colon: 1.24 (1.20-1.28); Renal: 1.24 (1.15-1.34)

141 studies

Per 5kg/m²: Women: Endometrial: 1.59 (1.50-1.68); Gallbladder: 1.59 (1.02-2.47); Oesophageal: 1.51 (1.31-1.74); Renal: 1.34 (1.25-1.43)