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Campbell PT. The Lancet 2014; 384: 727–728

It is well established that a high BMI is associated with 'coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, dyslipidaemia, and osteoarthritis.' This Comment proves an entry point for the substantive paper by Krishnan Bhaskaran K, Douglas I et al., published in the same issue. This study reported associations between BMI and cancer. The analysis used data on 5.24 million individuals, all thought to be cancer-free at the outset of the study, collected from the UK's Clinical Practice Research Datalink. They found that after a mean observation period of 7.5 years, 166,955 individuals developed cancer. Each 5 kg/m2; increase in BMI (5 units BMI) was associated with a higher risk of developing cancer. These represented about 90% of all cancers diagnosed in the UK. The commentator argues that it is not necessary to carry out more research to justify 'policy changes aimed at curbing overweight and obesity.' Instead politicians should show resolve, implementing policies aimed at reducing caloric intake including taxation, and increasing physical activity.