OBJECTIVES: According to the WHO report on February 2018, the prevalence of obesity in the world has nearly tripled since 1975. Obesity clearly known as risk factor for various diseases, such as cardiovascular and endocrine disease, including many types of cancer. This study aims to determine the obesity attributable fraction (OAF) of seven cancers based on the relative risk of esophageal, colorectal, pancreatic, endometrial, ovarian, prostate and kidney cancer and also to estimate the burden of cancer caused by obesity with disability adjusted life years (DALY) indicator.

METHODS: This study is a descriptive epidemiological study with prevalence-based method, which the prevalence data obtained from Indonesian National Health Insurance (BPJS) 2016. The OAF is calculated by combining both data of obesity prevalence and relative risk. The DALY is calculated as the sum of the years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLL) and the equivalent healthy years lost due to disability (YLD).

RESULTS: Based on OAF calculation, three highest proportions OAF in men were in colorectal cancer (6.02%), kidney cancer (4.91%) and pancreatic cancer (4.55%), while in women were from kidney cancer (13.92%), endometrial cancer (12.63%) and colorectal cancer (7.49%). Meanwhile the burden priorities of cancer by obesity in Indonesia were come from colorectal cancer (23,051 DALYs), ovarian cancer (21,911 DALYs), and pancreatic cancer (4,564 DALYs).

CONCLUSIONS: Burden of cancer attributable to obesity in Indonesia mostly related to digestive organ and high prevalence in female population. It is the impact of life changes and less activity due to globalization. All cancers attributable to obesity should be considered and have to controlled by the government through health programs and policies.