Adult men with obesity are more likely to develop colorectal cancer than men with normal weight, and adult women with obesity are also more likely to develop colorectal cancer than women with normal weight, according to data from multiple population studies.

We analyzed the available evidence and found that obesity is linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer in both men and women, but the increase in risk appears to be greater in men. Our current analysis shows that 39 studies support the finding that men with obesity are more likely to develop colorectal cancer than men with normal weight, and another 39 studies support the same pattern in women [1]. However, when comparing the two groups directly, the evidence we’ve reviewed leans toward a stronger association between obesity and colorectal cancer in men than in women [2]. This doesn’t mean obesity doesn’t raise risk in women — it clearly does. But the data suggest that for every unit of excess body weight, the rise in colorectal cancer risk may be more pronounced in men. The reasons for this difference aren’t fully clear from the evidence we’ve reviewed, but factors like fat distribution, hormone levels, or how the body processes insulin might play a role. We don’t have enough detail to say why this gap exists, only that it appears consistently across multiple population studies. What this means for everyday life: if you’re living with obesity, whether you’re male or female, your risk of colorectal cancer is higher than someone with a normal weight. But for men, the added risk tied to excess weight may be even more significant. Keeping a healthy weight remains one of the most practical steps you can take to lower your risk — regardless of gender.