Prevalence and predictors of obesity-related cancers among racial/ethnic groups with metabolic syndrome.

Background: Obesity-related cancer (ORC) is associated with higher amounts of body fat, which could increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). A significant factor associated with CVD is metabolic syndrome (MetS), and MetS prevalence differs by race/ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence and predictors of ORCs by race/ethnicity among adults (>18) with MetS.

Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study using data from the 1999-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A chi-square test was performed to determine differences in ORC prevalence between non-Hispanic White (NHW), non-Hispanic Black (NHB), and Hispanic participants with MetS. A multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors (race, sex, income, insurance, education, marital status, and smoking status) of ORC among adults with MetS.

Results: Of the 1,554 adults, the prevalence of ORC was 30.6% among NHWs, 51.3% in NHBs, and 54.1% in Hispanics (p = <0.001). Females were 6.27 times more likely to have an ORC compared to males (95% CI = 4.95-14.11). Compared to NHWs, NHBs were 2.1 times more likely to have an ORC (95% CI = 1.40-3.38); and Hispanics were 2.5 times more likely (95% CI = 1.39-4.77). For every 1-year unit increase in age, the odds of ORC increased by 3% (95% CI = 1.00-1.05).

Conclusions: Among NHANES participants with MetS, the prevalence of ORCs was significantly higher in NHBs and Hispanics, females, and older adults with MetS. Future studies, by race/ethnicity, are warranted on mortality risk of persons with MetS and ORC.