The rise in the number of overweight and obese individuals in the US has reached an alarming rate since the 1990s. Increased sedentary lifestyle and the popularity of fast food and TV dinners can be attributed to the sharp increase. According to government figures, over 300,000 deaths are related to obesity problems. It is also important to note that childhood obesity in the country has also tripled over the period of ten years.

Despite efforts by the National Government to raise the awareness to health problems and diseases related to excess weight, it seems that majority of obese and overweight people still don't want to do something about their big problem. Maybe the latest study on the connection between cancer and obesity will open the eyes of many.

According to a recent study, ten percent of all cancer diseases can be linked to obesity. And in the United States alone, there are more than 100,000 reported cases where the patients are both cancer-stricken and obese. The message that these statistical figures are trying to impart is clear; being overweight and obese can cause or increase the risks of cancer.

The processes by which obesity can result to one type of cancer can not be applied to all types of cancer. How obesity can develop into, say, colon cancer may be different for kidney cancer. But basically, the factors that can link obesity to all types of cancers are changes in insulin levels and sex hormones. To effectively avoid being overweight and obese, you can follow these simple steps.

First, you must know if you are indeed overweight or obese. The best way to determine if you fall under these two categories is by computing your body mass index or BMI which is essentially the ratio between how much you weigh and how tall you are. You can consult nutrition and medical experts or you can look up the Internet and find out how to accurately determine your BMI. One thing is for sure; your old bathroom scale can not do the job of measuring your BMI!

Second, learn how to count calories. Knowledge about calories is crucial for people who want to be stricken off the list of being overweight or obese. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has devised a system that will enable consumers to have valuable information to accurately measure calories and allow them to make the right choices when it comes to the food they eat. Just check out the nutrition information at the back of food packages.

Third, you must watch what you eat. It may sound like a broken record, but eating adequate amounts of vegetables and fruits will help you attain a healthier weight level. Eating the right amounts of food does not mean going below the recommended level of around 2,000 calories.

And lastly, you must increase physical activities to expend the calories that you have taken in. Aside from the psychological benefits of increased physical activities, extra body movements are also a key to keeping your body weight within a healthy limit. A minimum of thirty minutes of exercise on at least four days every week can stop chronic ailments from happening to you; while a 60-minute physical activity for the same number of days each week will help you prevent unhealthy weight gain.

So there you have it, the path to keep a healthy weight has been given but the choice of not joining the list of overweight or obese people who are also afflicted with cancer is entirely yours to make. For more approaches to losing weight, you can complement the steps mentioned above with products like Zyroxin. Visit www.Zyroxin.com for more information.

Author's Bio: 

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine www.healthnfitnesszone.com.