In recent decades, the prevalence of obesity and overweight has increased worldwide, in both men and women. According to the latest evaluation carried out by the Cancer Research Association of the University of Verona in 2017, overweight and obesity are proven risk factors for 13 tumor sites, with risk estimates that vary widely depending on the tumor site . Obesity is also related to a worse prognosis for some cancers, particularly breast and colon cancers. Childhood and adolescent obesity, also on the rise in many countries, has been associated with an increased risk of cancer in adulthood. One of the main causes of obesity is the imbalance in energy balance favored by a diet rich in processed foods, red meat, trans and saturated fatty acids, sugary foods and drinks and low in fruit and vegetables, legumes and whole grains. The main national and international recommendations to reduce the prevalence of obesity include a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
The change in eating habits and lifestyle (we are therefore talking about a sedentary lifestyle and an increase in simple sugars and unsaturated fats in the diet) is now a global phenomenon. Even in rural populations in Southern Africa* there has been an increase in the risk of cancer.
Therefore, nutrition is no longer just a risk factor for cerebral and cardiovascular diseases, being among the leading causes of hospitalization in industrialized countries. It becomes one of the most important and most avoidable risks of cancer which is the health emergency of these decades.
Learning to eat, learning to live to live better and also to prevent Cancer.
