Yang X, Zhang T, Yin X, et al. - Using unconditional logistic regression models, researchers examined esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) risk in relation to adult height, changes in individual body mass index (BMI) and body shape among 1,414 ESCC cases and 1,989 controls recruited from a high-incidence area in China. In this large population-based case-control study, a rapid increase in ESCC risk in adults was noted along with the increases in height, plateauing at 170 cm among men and 157 cm among women, by adjusted results. Increased risk of ESCC was observed in relation to body weight loss and decreased incidence of ESCC was reported in relation to body weight gain among participants who were underweight, normal weight, or thinner than body shape 4. However, no significant influence of body weight changes on ESCC risk was evident among participants who were overweight, obese, or larger than body shape 3. Based on these findings, maintaining a fit body shape and a reasonable BMI is advisable and of vital significance to attenuate the risk of ESCC, particularly in high-risk regions.