The Wrong Direction

As someone who cares deeply about cancer prevention, news today that obesity rates continue to climb in both adults and children is disheartening. Quite simply, as a country, we are going in the wrong direction with obesity and overweight. When it comes to colon cancer, the ever-increasing obesity rates are especially problematic. If even one colon cancer case can be prevented by raising awareness of the strong connection between obesity and this disease, then it's worth it to me to continue writing and blogging about this important topic.

As mentioned in my June 18th blog, obesity and overweight are among the most important, modifiable risk factors for colon cancer. Modifiable means something that we can control with the choices we make everyday.

Each and every one of us, by making better food choices, walking instead of sitting, biking instead of driving, and making a whole host of other health decisions, can control our own body weight and reduce our own risk of colon cancer. We can help reduce the rates of colon cancer in our country too, by addressing our collective struggles with overweight and obesity.

I've mentioned this previously as well: Health experts estimate that about 30% of all colon cancer cases in the United States are directly due to people having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 22.5 kilograms per meter squared (kg/m2).

Using our BMI calculator, you'll quickly see that a BMI of 22.5 is not particularly high. In other words, you have to be pretty fit and thin to maintain a BMI of 22.5. For a woman, a BMI of 22.5 translates into being 5'4" (64 inches) tall and weighing about 131 pounds. For a man, a BMI of 22.5 translates into being 5'11" (71 inches) tall and weighing about 161 pounds.

As you read this, you may be thinking, "who actually has a BMI of 22.5?" In a small bit of self-disclosure, I'll admit my BMI is about 21.2 kg/m2. And I don't say this to "brag", because in fact, at one point in my adult life, at 5' 4" tall and about 170 pounds, my BMI was an unhealthy 28.9 kg/m2!

When I talk to people about a healthy diet and regular exercise, I sometimes receive feedback that I must be "lucky" and must be "naturally thin". Phew, I wish that were the case. In reality, I think about maintaining my weight each and every day. It's a lot of work, but my health is worth it. Reducing my own risk of colon and other cancers, as well as heart disease, diabetes and more, is worth it. I'm worth it and SO ARE YOU!

Since this is a blog about colon cancer, I don't want to get too side tracked talking about weight management, but I encourage everyone to think about how important it is to avoid being overweight or obese in order to reduce colon cancer risk. Other than regular colon cancer screening, nothing is more important for reducing colon cancer risk than staying at a healthy body weight.

And even if you never reach a BMI of 22.5, every single pound that you lose and keep off will improve your health. Even 5 or 10 pounds can markedly improve health! Take a moment to peruse the About.com Weight Loss website, where you'll find news, information, and tons of great ideas you can incorporate into your life today, to put you on the path to a healthy weight and lower colon cancer risk.

Remember, anyone can learn (and it does take learning!) how to live more healthfully, despite the fact that we live in a society that is designed to make us "fat". Between the advertisements; the cheap, tasty junk food available at every turn; the lack of communities being designed in a way that allows for walking and biking; and our hectic, cram-too-much-into-every-moment lifestyles, it's no surprise that close to 70% of us are overweight or obese. But investing in your health is worth the effort! I've been there (overweight). I understand your pain. I know you can live healthier too.