Obesity, excess weight can increase brain tumor risk, study reveals

Obesity can lead to various medical conditions like diabetes, stroke and heart attack. However, it seems that another health complication is being linked to this global concern, as a new study reveals it can double the chances of developing brain tumor.

Live Science reports that according to a study conducted by the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine of the University of Regensburg in Germany, after analysing about 13 previous research on 6,000 individuals suffering from brain tumors, the researchers have discovered that there is a link between body mass index and the chances of getting brain tumor.

The result of the study states that obese individuals have a 54 percent likelihood of getting diagnosed with meningioma tumor, one of the most common types of tumors found in the brain. Furthermore, overweight patients have a 21 percent risk compared to people with normal body weight.

Meningioma develops from the meninges, the covering tissues of the brain and spinal cord. It takes up about 30 percent of all brain tumor cases, and while it is mostly benign and grows slowly over time, this type of brain tumor can lead to death if it starts to prevent the brain from doing it's functions, Medical News Today adds. 

The other brain tumor talked about in the study is the glioma, which makes up about 33 percent of all brain tumor cases. This originates from the glial cells or the tissues covering the neurons of the brain, and are often called intrinsic brain tumors, as they are found in brain substance, often mixed with normal brain tissues.

Together, meningioma and glioma account for about 70 percent of the cases from 120 known brain tumors.

Dr. Gundula Behrens, Ph.D., the lead researcher and professor from the university believes that the study is significant, as it can help experts determine brain tumor risk factors that can be changed and controlled, Bio Science Technology writes. Dr. Behrens adds it can help in the development of strategies to help reduce the chances of developing brain tumors.

The researchers believe the link can be due to several other medical factors like increased insulin production brought about by the excess weight. Physical activity also plays a significant role, as it has been reveled that meningioma is less common in people who love to exercise and workout. Dr. Behrens shares that although the study suggests the association, people should not panic as tumors are rare.

The study was published online in the journal Neurology last September 16th.