Being overweight is not just about being fat, there are so many risks and complications which start to multiply with the change in your waistline. Your breathing slows down, metabolism levels change and as the fat cells spread, it causes inflammation, spreads insulin in excess, causes a higher distribution of hormones, which sometimes leads to a mismatch and imbalance in the body composition at the cellular level, and hence, may even lead to cancer.

The impact of weight was proved by a study conducted by a leading health board, which found that obesity-related cancer risk grew upwards of 40 per cent in recent years. If you are as shocked as us after reading this statement, here is something you should know. You are putting yourself at the risk of catching 13 different types of cancer if you are overweight.

According to a study conducted by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity and weight issues were found as a common link in more than 60,000 people who were diagnosed with cancer. Of the patients who were observed in the research, they were found to be suffering from 13 different types of cancers which included cancer of the brain, oesophagus, breast, thyroid, gallbladder, stomach, liver, pancreas, multiple myeloma, colon, uterus and the ovaries. Smoking was the only bigger cancer contributor than weight gain.

Although no conclusive evidence was found in the research, obesity, nonetheless is a lifestyle disease which contributes to the growing cancer epidemic. This report comes at a time when obesity is reeling the world over, with about 2/3rd of the population, including adults and children at risk.

Does cutting down on obesity mean no-cancer risk?

The risk of getting cancer depends on a lot of other factors (most importantly genetics, age) and certain environmental factors as well. Consumption of tobacco and chemically processed food products also increase your risk but weight gain is something which bundles up with other lifestyle disorders and so carries a greater risk for cancer, if not treated in time. However, at the same time, doctors say, the way to fight obesity-related cancers is not as easy as losing weight but more to do with making healthier lifestyle choices, doing regular exercise as well as avoiding any further weight gain. Hence, staying in shape and losing weight for a healthier life has a lot more benefits than simply looking good and clothes fitting better.

Source: indiatimes.com