Obesity, body composition, and prostate cancer

Body size and composition measures were not significantly associated with low-grade (Gleason 6) prostate cancer. In contrast, body mas index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM), were each significantly associated with an increased risk of Gleason 7 and Gleason 8-10 prostate cancer.

A recent study suggests that associations between BMI and WC with high-grade prostate cancer are mediated through the measurement of total body FFM. It is unlikely that FFM causes prostate cancer, but instead provides a marker of testosterone and IGF1 activities involved with retaining lean mass as men age.