Being obese or overweight has been liked to increase the risk of various chronic health conditions such as diabetes (type-2), heart diseases, high blood pressure and even some forms of cancers.
In the case of cancer, extra fat in the body has been said to foster the increase in the production of certain hormones and certain growth factors that affect the way our cells grow and work. Extra fat in the body for example can lead to the increase in production of insulin and estrogen which may help some cancers to develop. Fat cells may also affect processes that regulate cancer cell growth.
Fat cells are active and they produce hormones and proteins that are released into the blood stream and carried around the body. This can affect many parts of the body increasing the risk of several types of cancer.
The types of cancers that have been linked to obesity are:
- Breast cancer
- Endometrium cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Bowel cancer.
- Cancer of the womb
- Oesophageal cancer.
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Gall bladder cancer
- Thyroid cancer.
The importance of maintaining a healthy weight cannot therefore be over emphasized. The Body Mass Index (BMI), is used to measure obesity. A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, BMI that is between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight while a BMI of 30 and above is obesity.
The Omron BF511 is a body composition monitor which can be used to monitor your weight, BMI, visceral fat, resting metabolism etc on a regular basis. This will keep you on the alert to maintain a healthy weight and live a healthy lifestyle thereby reducing your risk of having cancer.
References: