The relation between obesity and breast cancer risk in women by considering menstruation status and geographical variations: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Given the increase in the incidence of breast cancer during the past decades, several studies have investigated the effects of variables on breast cancer, especially obesity. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate any effects of obesity on breast cancer risk in women, before and after menopause, and in different continents. All forms of relevant literature examining any association between obesity and breast cancer, including cohort, case–control, and cross-sectional studies, were identified in the PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 1990 until January 13, 2023. Body mass index (BMI) > 30 was used to indicate obesity. Every type of breast cancer was examined as outcome factors. The quality of the papers was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale checklist. The Egger and Begg test was used to evaluate publication bias. To assess any extra impact of each research on the final measurement, a sensitivity analysis was carried out. One hundred and two studies were included in this meta-analysis. Respectively, 48 and 67 studies reported associations between obesity and breast cancer in pre and post menopausal women. Combining all studies, the pooled OR of the association between obesity and breast cancer in pre-menopausal women was OR = 0.93 CI: (0.85–1.1), (I(2) = 65.4%), and for post-menopausal woman, OR = 1.26 CI: (1.19–1.34), (I(2) = 90.5%). Obesity has a protective role in breast cancer among pre-menopausal women, but this relationship is statistically significant only in European women. The chance of developing breast cancer increases in post-menopausal women who are obese. This relationship is significant among Asian, North American, African and European women. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-023-02543-5.