Dangers Of Obesity In Children, Can Increase Cancer Risk

JAKARTA - Obesity in children can increase the risk of cancer due to the chronic inflammation it causes. The accumulation of excess fat in the body not only causes metabolic disorders, but also creates an environment that supports the growth of abnormal cells.

A number of studies show that this condition can trigger cell mutations that lead to cancer development.

Professor of Children's Health Sciences from the Department of Children's Health Sciences, Universitas Airlangga, Prof. Dr. dr. I Dewa Gede Ugrasena Sp.A(K), revealed that obesity can be a supporting factor in the occurrence of cancer in children due to chronic inflammation.

Accumulated excess fat in the body can trigger chronic inflammation, which ultimately creates a conducive environment for abnormal cell growth that has the potential to develop into cancer.

Obesity has been identified as one of the main risk factors for cancer. We know that excess fat in the body can cause chronic inflammation, which is a long-term inflammatory condition. This inflammatory environment can trigger cellular changes that increase the risk of cancer emerging in children," said Prof. Ugrasena as quoted by ANTARA.

Furthermore, he explained that this inflammatory condition can disrupt the balance of the body's hormones and metabolism, including increasing insulin levels. This imbalance has the potential to encourage uncontrolled cell growth, thereby increasing the possibility of mutations that lead to cancer development.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor play a role in cell growth regulations. When there is a disturbance in this system, the risk of cell mutation increases. This process can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and trigger cancer," he explained.

However, Prof. Ugrasena emphasized that more research is needed to understand the direct relationship between obesity and cancer in children, considering that the available study on metabolic aspects is still limited.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Central Board of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A(K), highlighted the importance of awareness and support for children with cancer. He emphasized the need for early detection, as well as promotive and preventive steps in maintaining children's health in order to avoid the risk of obesity that can trigger cancer.

One way to prevent this is to adopt a healthy lifestyle from an early age. This is important so that children do not experience chronic overnutrients that have the potential to be a risk factor for cancer," said dr. Piprim.

Head of the IDAI Hemato Oncology Coordination Work Unit (UKK), dr. Eddy Supriyadi, Sp.A(K), Ph.D, also added that further studies are needed to see a direct relationship between obesity and cancer in children. According to him, it is important to conduct national registration to collect data on the nutritional status of children with cancer.

"We still need more studies to understand how much correlation between obesity and cancer in children is. Therefore, it is important to have a national registration system that records nutritional status, both normal, malnourished, and obese, in the population of children suffering from cancer," he concluded.