Molecular and Genetic Medicine

Obesity: Is it an Independent Risk Factor for Diabetes and Cancer?

Abstract

Jalal Hejazi and Reza Rastmanesh

Today obesity is known as a causal or a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and many of common cancers; however, is really obesity an independent risk factor for diabetes mellitus and cancer? Studying the etiology of obesity, T2D and many types of cancers, we can see important common players.
Genetic and epigenetic similarities between the diseases, role of microbiota in their development and progression, effect of life style related factors such as physical activity, diet and etc., are some of these players. Based on these evidences and also with recent identification of metabolically healthy obese individuals, the obese individuals whose mortality and morbidity rate is the same as non-obese people, we can conclude that obesity is not an independent risk factor for diabetes or cancer per se, and it is probably results from the same risk factors as these diseases. In this review we will explain the similarities between pathophysiology of obesity, cancer and diabetes and also coexisting conditions with obesity which may relate to cancer and T2D.