Obese at risk

updates

According to a June 2002 survey of more than 1,200 adults, most Americans understand their chances of getting heart disease and diabetes increase when they are overweight, but many don't know the risk of cancer increases as well. Twenty-five percent of adults in the study were unaware of the increased risk.

The results of the survey, conducted by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), were presented in July 2002 at a conference on diet and nutrition held in Washington, DC.

The report also says the risk for post-menopausal breast, colon, prostate, esophageal, endometrial and kidney cancers increases among non-smoking, overweight and obese adults. At highest risk are people who gain 22 pounds or more after age 20. People should limit weight gain during adulthood to no more than 11 pounds, says researcher, George Bray, MD, professor of medicine at Louisiana State University Medical Center in Baton Rouge.

The AICR report recommends that Americans stay active, engaging in moderate exercise such as brisk walking for half an hour a day, and more challenging exercise such as jogging for one hour a week. According to the AICR, 11 moderate exercise" means walking a mile in about 15 minutes.

It's important advice, considering the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 61 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. Cancer claims more than 500,000 yearly, according to the American Cancer Society. The World Health Organization estimates that up to one-third of worldwide cancer cases are related to being overweight and inactive.