Cross-sectional analysis of the assocation between body mass index and overall cancer among college students in the United States

Analysis of the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment self-reported , cross-sectional data investigated the association between body mass index and reporting of an overall cancer diagnosis among college students in the United States. Among 275,185 students from 2019 to 2022, 0.08% reported a cancer diagnosis. After adjusting for age, sex, race, ethnicity, education level, physical activity, and smoking status, higher BMI was associated with a greater likelihood of reporting an overall cancer diagnosis. Each 1 kg/m² increase in BMI was associated with a 1% increase in the odds of a cancer diagnosis. In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses, both overweight (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.08-1.34) and obesity (1.48; 1.32-1.65) were positively associated with a cancer diagnosis. The authors conclude that among college students in the USA, higher BMI was associated with a greater likelihood of reporting a cancer diagnosis.