Equitable approaches to weight management could reduce cancer rates in Aotearoa

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-05-02 00:01

New Zealand

Researchers studying cancer registry data and weight have found that about 5% of cancers in people over 30 could be linked to excess body weight, disproportionately affecting Pacific and Māori people, and women. They say strategies to prevent and manage excess weight can overemphasise lifestyle factors, while overlooking socioeconomic disadvantage and systemic barriers. To reduce cancer rates linked with excess body weight, they recommend investment in culturally appropriate, community-driven programmes, and reducing stigma and bias that prevent access to healthcare.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Excess body weight (EBW) is associated with a large number of cancers in Aotearoa New Zealand, with 6,962 cases (5.1% of all cancers) between 2019 and 2023, averaging 1,390 per year. The impact is not evenly distributed, with Māori and Pacific peoples, particularly Pacific women, experiencing a higher burden. Women are also more affected than men, largely due to the strong link between EBW and uterine, postmenopausal breast and ovarian cancers. If the prevalence of higher body weight was reduced, hundreds of cancer cases could be prevented each year. Tackling this issue requires a balanced public health approach that strengthens prevention, improves healthcare access and reduces weight stigma, while recognising the wider social and cultural factors that influence body size and health.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand

Funder: N/A

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