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Overweight, Obesity, and Cancer Compelling evidence exists that prevention of obesity reduces the risk for many of the most common cancers, such as colon, postmenopausal breast, uterine, esophageal, and renal cell cancers. It is estimated that 20 to 30 percent of these cancers—some of the most common cancers in the United States—may be related to being overweight and/or lack of physical activity. Recent studies indicate that obesity and being overweight may increase the risk of death from many cancers, accounting for up to 14 percent of cancer deaths in men and 20 percent of cancer deaths in women. Percentage of adults (aged 20 and older) who are at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. These weight groups are defined by a measurement called body mass index (BMI). BMI is found by dividing weight (in kilograms) by height (in meters) squared. Category definitions used here are:
Note: Data from 1971–1974 and 1976–1980 are for ages 20–74, but the age difference does not appear to affect the prevalence, as seen from later survey years where data are plotted for both age groupings (20–74 and 20+). Healthy weight: Falling Note: These trends do not indicate that individuals are moving from healthy weight to obese. Rather, the observed trends are likely due to a similar number of persons moving from healthy weight to overweight and from overweight to obese. Among adults aged 20 and older in 2005-2006:
Values do not add to 100% because underweight (BMI less than 18.5) is not included. When data after 1999 are examined by gender, it appears that the increases in obesity among women have leveled off, while the prevalence for men is still rising. Increase to 60 percent the proportion of adults who are at a healthy weight. There is no Healthy People 2010 target for overweight. Decrease to 15 percent the proportion of obese adults. Groups at High Risk for Being Overweight or Obese Overweight and obesity are most common among Black and Mexican American women. The same patterns are seen for children and teens in these groups. Overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults and to suffer from associated illnesses, as well as premature death. As with adults, the trend toward excess weight among children has greatly increased in recent years. Daily physical activity, balanced with appropriate calorie intake, is one of the most effective ways to avoid weight gain. Lack of activity is believed to be one of the major reasons for the increase in overweight among U.S. youth and adults. Increased TV watching and similar sedentary activity is linked with excess weight. See Physical Activity for trends in physical activity. Additional Information on Weight
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