Cancer and Being Overweight

[marie]

Being overweight and physical inactivity may increase the risk of developing several types of cancer. Gaining weight during adult life increases the risk for several of these cancers, even if the weight gain does not result in overweight or obesity.

• Colon
• Breast (postmenopausal)
• Endometrium (the lining of the uterus)
• Kidney
• Esophagus

Some studies have also reported links between obesity and these cancers:

• Gallbladder
• Ovaries
• Pancreas

Cancer occurs when cells in one part of the body, such as the colon, grow abnormally or out of control. The cancerous cells sometimes spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.

It is not known exactly how being overweight increases cancer risk. It may be that fat cells release hormones that affect cell growth, leading to cancer. Eating habits or physical activity habits that may lead to being overweight may also contribute to cancer risk.

Weight Loss

Preventing weight gain can reduce the risk of many cancers.

Experts recommend that people establish habits of healthy eating and physical activity early in life to prevent overweight and obesity.

Those who are already overweight or obese are advised to avoid additional weight gain, and to lose weight through a low-calorie diet and exercise.

Even a weight loss of only 5 to 10 percent of total weight can provide health benefits.

Check out your body mass index (BMI) using the calculator below:

[Anonymous Bot]