Body weight, sitting time, and diet’s role in early colorectal precancers
Obesity, sedentary behaviors, and diet quality for prevention and early detection of early-onset colorectal neoplasia
This project checks whether being overweight, sitting for long periods, and eating a poor diet raise the chance of early precancerous colon growths and whether blood markers could help find them sooner in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11046359 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked about your weight, how much time you spend sitting, and your usual diet, and may be asked to give blood samples and share medical records. The team will compare people who developed advanced adenomas before age 50 with those who did not, using colonoscopy results and health data. They will measure markers of endotoxemia and inflammation in blood to see if these biological signals link lifestyle factors to early precancer development. The work combines existing patient cohorts and biospecimens with participants seen at Washington University or partner clinics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults under 50—especially those who are overweight, sit for long periods, or report a poor-quality diet—are the primary group this research focuses on.
Not a fit: People who are already older than typical early-onset cases (for example, over 65), who have had a colectomy, or whose cancer risk is driven mainly by inherited genetics may not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help personalize colon cancer screening and prevention by identifying lifestyle risks and blood markers that signal early precancerous growths.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked obesity and inactivity to higher colorectal cancer risk, but targeting endotoxemia and inflammation as a pathway for early-onset precancers is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cao, Yin — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Cao, Yin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.