Walking habit reduces colorectal cancer risk in adults in Hunan, China

Q: Does walking reduce the risk of colorectal cancer?

Yes, this study found that having a walking habit was associated with a 47% lower odds of colorectal cancer (OR=0.533, 95% CI: 0.392-0.725, P<0.001) compared to not having a walking habit.

Q: What was the study design?

This was a case-control study with 1:1 matching by gender and age, conducted in Hunan, China, between July 2020 and October 2021.

Q: How strong was the protective effect of walking?

The odds ratio was 0.533, indicating a 46.7% reduction in the odds of CRC among those with a walking habit, with a 95% confidence interval from 0.392 to 0.725.

Q: Were there other lifestyle factors that affected CRC risk?

Yes, the study also found that consumption of carbonated soft drinks, lack of exercise, balanced diet (vs. plant-preference diet), and lower education level were associated with increased CRC risk, but these did not reach statistical significance in the adjusted analysis.

In a case-control study of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and matched controls in Hunan, China, participants with a walking habit had a significantly lower risk of CRC compared to those without (OR=0.533, 95% CI: 0.392-0.725, P<0.001). This protective effect was observed after adjusting for gender and age.

Last updated: Aug 12, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100

Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆

Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆

Mechanism★★★★★

Safety★★★★☆

Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. A case-control study of dietary patterns and lifestyle factors affecting colorectal cancer in Hunan province, South China.

observational

Qiu Y, Yi F, Zhong R, Yi C, Wang J, Li L, Xie J, Zhu L, Wang W, Zou Y, Zhang Q · Medicine (2026)

Participants: N/A

Duration: Recruitment from July 30, 2020 to October 27, 2021

Intervention: Walking habit (self-reported regular walking)

Outcome: Incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC)

Effect Size: OR=0.533 (95% CI: 0.392-0.725)

Population: Adults in Hunan, China, newly diagnosed with CRC and matched controls (family members) matched by gender and age (±2 years)

Result:

PubMed: 42566591 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000050091

Mechanism Graph

Walking increases physical activity levels

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Physical activity may reduce inflammation and improve immune function

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Physical activity may decrease intestinal transit time, reducing exposure to carcinogens

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Result: Reduced risk of colorectal cancer

Limitations

⚠Case-control design cannot establish causality; recall bias may affect reporting of walking habits
⚠Walking habit was self-reported and not quantified (frequency, duration, intensity), limiting dose-response analysis
⚠Matching on family members may introduce overmatching or shared environmental/lifestyle factors, potentially underestimating effects

Frequently Asked Questions

Does walking reduce the risk of colorectal cancer?▼

Yes, this study found that having a walking habit was associated with a 47% lower odds of colorectal cancer (OR=0.533, 95% CI: 0.392-0.725, P<0.001) compared to not having a walking habit.

What was the study design?▼

This was a case-control study with 1:1 matching by gender and age, conducted in Hunan, China, between July 2020 and October 2021.

How strong was the protective effect of walking?▼

The odds ratio was 0.533, indicating a 46.7% reduction in the odds of CRC among those with a walking habit, with a 95% confidence interval from 0.392 to 0.725.

Were there other lifestyle factors that affected CRC risk?▼

Yes, the study also found that consumption of carbonated soft drinks, lack of exercise, balanced diet (vs. plant-preference diet), and lower education level were associated with increased CRC risk, but these did not reach statistical significance in the adjusted analysis.

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References

1.Qiu Y, Yi F, Zhong R, Yi C, Wang J, Li L, Xie J, Zhu L, Wang W, Zou Y, Zhang Q. "A case-control study of dietary patterns and lifestyle factors affecting colorectal cancer in Hunan province, South China.." Medicine, 2026. PMID: 42566591 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000050091

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.