Cut 100 Calories a Day and Reduce Your Risk of Cancer

Obesity or being overweight stands only second to smoking as far as the risk of being affected by cancer is concerned. It has been linked to different types of cancer, for instance, bowel, breast, uterine, throat and pancreas cancer.

Scientists have suggested that instead of making big lifestyle changes, an effective way to avoid the risk of cancer is to cut down on calorie intake and avoid consuming excess calories.

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In order to encourage the active involvement and participation of people in making positive changes in their dietary pattern and thereby lower the threat imposed by excess calorie intake, the "100 Calorie Challenge" was launched by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). The WCRF mentions that 100 calories are equivalent to only one-and-a-half digestive biscuits, but these small bites can be extremely damaging.

In recent years, like in many other countries, the number of obese or overweight kids and adults has increased in Scotland. Statistics reveal that one in every seven 5-year old child is obese. Experts have also warned that two out of every five Scot children are susceptible to the risk of cancer. Earlier this proportion was one in three children.

According to World Cancer Research Fund, consuming 100 extra calories per day can lead to a rise of 11lb in the body weight annually.

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In England, about 18 percent of cancer patients are obese and this amount to 22,110 cancer cases annually.

Prof. Kate Mendoza, the head of health information at WCRF, stated, “Anyone who’s ever tried dieting will know how difficult it is to lose weight, so we’re proposing the 100 Calorie Challenge so people can avoid putting on that extra weight in the first place."

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“Cutting 100 calories from your daily diet is relatively simple – equal to cutting out one-and-a-half digestive biscuits – but the cumulative effect of such a small daily amount could prevent nearly an extra stone in body weight over a year."

“This strategy of small changes could prevent additional weight gain and help reduce cancer risk. Small sustainable changes are easier for people to follow and better than larger ones that can’t be maintained.”

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Diet and fitness expert, Rosemary Conley has supported the campaign and said, “The 100 Calorie Challenge is a great way to help people achieve a healthy weight and reduce their risk of getting cancer.”

Source-Medindia