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Obesity heightens the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and joint and muscle pain. But, could the few extra pounds in children also increase the risk of cancer.

According to researchers from Tel Aviv University, obesity in has a direct link to the incidence of urothelial (bladder and urinary tract) and colorectal cancers in adulthood.

The researchers studied 1.1 million males in the Israeli Defense Forces. Their health information was gathered by the army, with a follow-up period of 18 years. When they controlled for factors such as year of birth and education, the researchers discovered a clear link between childhood BMI and those who were diagnosed with urothelial or colorectal cancers later in life. Children above the 84th percentile in BMI have a 1.42% greater chance, representing a 50% higher risk, of developing urothelial or colorectal cancers in adulthood compared to those beneath it.

The research was published in the journals Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention and Obesity, and according to the American Heart Association, one in three children and teenagers is now considered overweight or obese.

Researcher said further research will reveal connections between childhood obesity and a wide range of other cancers, including pancreatic cancer, which is currently being studied. They also said, new research should focus on researching the pathogenetic link between obesity and cancer, and whether losing weight in adulthood could lower the risk.

Researchers are now looking at whether successful weight loss attempts can reduce a child's risk of developing urothelial or colorectal cancer in adulthood.

In the United States, approximately 17 percent - 12.5 million - children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese.