Body size and composition trends in U.S. adults with a history of cancer: NHANES 1999-2018.

Authors

Benjamin Brockbank, Rand Talal Akasheh, Yevgeniya Gokun, Faiza Kalam, Cuthbert Mario Mahenge, Electra D Paskett, Ting-Yuan David Cheng

Published in

Preventive oncology & epidemiology. Volume 4. Issue 1. Epub Jul 18, 2026.

Abstract

We analyzed repeated cross-sectional trends in body size and composition among US adults with a history of cancer.
Data from self-reported cancer survivors aged ≥ 20 years in the Continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006 and 2011-2018 were analyzed. Outcomes included body mass index (BMI, n = 3544) and waist circumference (WC, n = 3354). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-derived indices, including fat mass index (FMI, n = 1767), lean mass index (LMI, n = 1752), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMMI, n = 1741), were analyzed for individuals aged ≥ 20 years from 1999-2006 and aged 20-59 years from 2011-2018. Multivariable linear regressions were used to assess associations across data cycles.
Across 19 years, average BMI increased from 27.1 kg/m² to 30.0 kg/m² (p < .001) and WC increased from 96.1 cm to 103.8 cm (p < .001) among all cancer survivors. FMI, exceeding obesity cutoffs since the 2006-2007 cycle, showed no significant changes. Among individuals aged 20-59 years, an increased LMI was observed in males and an increased ASMMI was observed in males and non-Hispanic White during 2011-2018.
Our findings highlight the need to address obesity and fat mass among cancer survivors.

PMID:
42667055
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 29 Aug 2026.

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