A recent study published in the British Journal of Surgery links obesity to an increased risk of colon cancer. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, who conducted the study, found that the fat hormone leptin was a major cause of the growth of colon cancer cells.

These results are sobering, but the news gets worse. Researchers determined that the risk factor for colorectal cancer is three times higher in individuals who are obese. This is because persons with more body fat have a greater amount of leptin in their bloodstream. When the body fat percentage increases, so does the fat hormone.

This study may arm pharmaceutical companies with the information they need to develop new treatments for colon cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one third of colon cancer cases end in death. Despite this, colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. It can be caught early through regular screening. Now we know it may be prevented by maintaining a healthy body weight.

We're learning more about the potential risks associated with being overweight and obese. With so many potentially fatal diseases and risk factors associated with being overweight, it's essential to control your weight. Following a proper diet and exercising regularly can go a long way to prevent obesity.