Today, the environmental factor that has the most cancer-causing capacity is smoking, followed by obesity. However, by 2020, it is estimated that obesity will be the primary cancer factor all over the world.
Studies conducted for many years have proven that, together with excessive weight gain in individuals, there is an increase in the level of some unwanted and cancer-triggering substances in our body. These substances can be some hormones or cell stimulants called cytokines. Examples of these are insulin-like growth factor, estrogen, testosterone. The long-term increase of these substances triggers the chronic inflammatory state in the body and initiates the process of cancer formation. Fat in the abdomen, in other words, an increase in the waist-to-hip ratio can be associated with the cancer process. Therefore, having this ratio at an ideal level should be a goal for healthy individuals.
Being overweight, that is, obese, contributes approximately 20% to cancer-related loss of life. It has been observed that being overweight increases the risk of developing many cancers in men, including cancer of the colon and rectum (large intestine), kidney and esophagus (oesophagus) and pancreatic cancer. It may also increase the risk of developing cancer in the gallbladder and liver, and may play an active role in the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and prostate cancer.
According to recent studies, the probability of developing cancer in obese women is 40% higher than in normal weight women. Obesity-related cancers in women are bowel, bladder, uterus, kidney, pancreatic, esophageal and especially postmenopausal breast cancers.
A great deal of clinical research has focused on cancer and malnutrition. It has been shown that the risk of cancer decreases with the weight loss of overweight individuals as a result of regular nutrition and exercise. The most important mechanism blamed for the relationship between weight gain and cancer is insulin resistance and excessive secretion of insulin-like substances. This mechanism is reversed in individuals who lose weight and take a step towards a healthy life. In order to prevent overweight or obesity, which is known to trigger many life-threatening diseases, people should be encouraged and supported to lose weight.
Paying attention to your diet and what you eat will both ensure that your body receives the necessary minerals and vitamins, and prevent obesity by preventing you from gaining excess weight. Take care to eat natural vegetables, fruits and whole grain foods. It is important that the food you consume is not frozen, excessively fatty, salty, sugary or with additives. Do not miss your meals and pay attention to three meals a day. Do yourself a favor and set a good example for your child by not skipping breakfast, which is the most important meal of the day. Prevent carcinogenic substances from harming your health by cooking red meat without burning it, and be careful to consume meat once a week. Again, eating fish and chicken 2-3 times a week will contribute to meeting your omega-3 and vitamin needs.
Your children who eat regularly and healthily will not gain excessive weight. Limit your consumption of junk food, chocolate, chips, foods and drinks containing fat and sugar. If possible, ensure that they consume organic, natural fruits, vegetables and meat, chicken and fish in certain proportions. Children who are overweight are at higher risk of developing diseases. It is an important point to remember that overweight adults also have a high risk of developing cancer. So, it is necessary to pay attention to maintaining a healthy weight at all ages.
