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BACKGROUND: Obesity has become an increasing public health problem in Georgia. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 68% of U.S. adults 20 years and older are overweight or obese. Obesity rates are expected to continue to increase through 2030, resulting in an increased burden on the healthcare system. There is evidence that obesity is a risk factor for various cancers such as: colon, esophagus, breast, endometrial, kidney, and gallbladder. The purpose of this study was to describe the burden of obesity and obesity-related cancers among adults living in Georgia during 1996-2010.
METHODS: Adult overweight and obesity prevalence (1996-2010) were obtained using the Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Cancer incidence was obtained from the Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry. Mortality was obtained using Georgia vital records data. Georgia cancer incidence (1998-2009) and mortality (1998-2008) rates were calculated for all obesity related cancers for adults aged 20 years and older. Breast cancer incidence rates were calculated for women 50 years and older whose estrogen receptor assay (ERA) and progesterone receptor assay (PRA) were positive.
RESULTS: Adult obesity prevalence in Georgia during 2010 was 29.6%, which is 3 times higher than the rate in 1996. Obesity prevalence rates increased from 11.2% in 1996 to 29.6% in 2010 for both males and females. For colon cancer, incidence rates decreased by 13% among males and females from 1998-2009, while breast cancer incidence rates increased by 44%. Incidence rates for other cancer sites increased in both males and females during the same time period.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of obesity in Georgia has been increasing since 1996. Cancer incidence rates have been increasing since 1998 for all obesity related cancers except colon cancer. Research focused on obesity and cancer is important for developing targeted interventions as well as determining the effects of the increasing obesity rates on cancer incidence and mortality.