Obesity & Risk of Cancer

What is obesity and is it linked to cancer?

Obesity is a medical term implying that a person has exceeded the recommended average weight. Overweight people have excess body fat and a high BMI (Body Mass Index). BMI indicates the proportion of weight a person has to have in correlation with their height. Research has proved that obesity lowers life expectancy and leads to the increased risks of cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer.

Types of cancer associated with obesity:

• Breast cancer (after menopause)
• Cervical cancer
• Colon or rectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gall bladder cancer
• Stomach cancer (in men)

The science community is debating on how obesity can give rise to cancer. Several experts believe that the location of the disease is very important in understanding how BMI affects it. Corpulence influences estrogen levels in women - one of the primary causes of uterine cancer. Research data shows that men with bulky bodies face a greater risk of colon cancer than the obese women do. Particularly, extra fat around abdomen is the culprit. Quantitative studies have also proved that heavy women are twice as likely to have colorectal cancer as compared to the ones leading a healthy lifestyle. Studies further prove that this phenomenon occurs to premenopausal women. It also depends upon how the body regulates insulin and estrogen levels, which can be adversely affected by weight problems. Though breast cancer is a result of various external and genetic factors, the contribution of obesity cannot be denied.

How to reduce obesity?

Simple lifestyle changes can keep those extra kilos and serious diseases at bay, as below:

• Research and know your ideal BMI
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol
• Avoid excessive eating. Take help, if needed
• Take a balanced daily diet
• Give up on junk foods and high carbs
• Exercise regularly
• Have a proper night’s sleep
• Meditate to reduce stress
• Adopt safe and effective fat-burning formulations