In the past people called it “exercise”. Nowadays, any form of physical activity, even taking the stairs instead of elevator, is strongly supported. But for most of us even that is too much. We prefer to be passive and sedentary. Nobody prefers to walk when he can drive. Nobody wants to exercise when he can go for a drink with friends.
In the past people called it “exercise”. Nowadays, any form of physical activity, even taking the stairs instead of elevator, is strongly supported. But for most of us even that is too much. We prefer to be passive and sedentary. Nobody prefers to walk when he can drive. Nobody wants to exercise when he can go for a drink with friends.
Unfortunately, the lack of physical activity and obesity have been linked to increased risk of a few major cancers, such as cancer of the breast, colon, kidney, endometrium and oesophagus. The conclusion seems to be obvious: physical activity and weight loss reduce the risk of cancer.
According to observational trials in 2002, conducted by the National Cancer Institute, physical activity lowered the risk of colon cancer by 50%. Even moderate levels of physical activity like brisk walking for 3-4 hours weekly (half an hour daily!) reduced the cancer risk.
It is also proved that regular exercising helps to protect against cancer even among people of healthy weight. Most of the observational research have discovered a protective effect of physical activity across all levels of BMI (Body Mass Index). However, according to a recent research from the Women’s Health Initiative, physical activity had a protective effect against breast cancer but only in women of normal weight, not obese ones. The conclusion is that we should be physically active as early as possible, in order to avoid obesity. Physical activity during adolescence and young adulthood is believed to protect against later development of breast cancer.
People who are overweight or obese should make an effort to be active, as the protective effects of physical activity go a long way beyond what the eye can see.
