Britons 'unaware' of obesity cancer link
The charity is worried that many people do not connect obesity with cancer
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Wednesday, 09, Aug 2006 08:11
UK residents are largely oblivious to the fact that being overweight increases the risk of contracting cancer, a new survey states, with people considering looking good a more important benefit of having a healthy body weight.
Cancer Research UK claims that 32 per cent of individuals think being at a lower risk of suffering from cancer is a major aspect of not being overweight, compared to 40 per cent of people who regard appearing more physically attractive as the key benefit.
More than two-thirds of respondents said that keeping fit and staying in shape was important to lower the risk of falling victim to heart disease, the charity said.
This apparent lack of awareness regarding the association between obesity and cancer has prompted Cancer Research to launch a new weight management programme that involves the adoption of ten simple steps over eight weeks to encourage healthy behaviour among Britons.
According to the charity, obesity is the most easily preventable cause of cancer in people who do not smoke, with being overweight strongly associated with cancer of the bowels, stomach and kidneys, while also increasing the risk of womb and breast cancer in post-menopausal women.
Today's survey also reveals that people between 25 and 34-years-old are the most likely to consider looking good the most important benefit of leading a healthy lifestyle.
Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at the charity, said: "This research provides a real insight into the priorities many of us have when it comes to looking after our bodies and the low awareness of the link between obesity and cancer."
Professor Jane Wardle, director of Cancer Research UK's health behaviour unit, added: "At the height of summer many of us are worried about looking good and it is not surprising these results show that so many of us are motivated by our body image when it comes to our weight. What is alarming is that so many people are unaware that reducing cancer risk is a benefit of maintaining a healthy body weight."
The key recommendations in Cancer Research UK's healthy living guide include sticking to strict meal times and routines, walking for between one hour and 90 minutes every day and being on your feet for at least ten minutes every hour, especially if people spend long periods of the day sitting at a desk.