Obese individuals refuse to recognize link between excess weight and cancer

Obese individuals refuse to recognize link between excess weight and cancer

A recent survey by Cancer Research UK has found that one in four obese individuals do not want to admit that they have a weight problem. It was also found that many people were surprisingly unaware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

The survey was conducted among 4,000 people and came as Cancer Research and Weight Concern released 10 tips for weight management. Prominent among these tips are to walk at least 10,000 steps a day and snacking on healthy foodstuffs. In the poll, it was found that most people were obese, but 26 percent did not find that a problem and did not want to lose weight. 87 percent of obese individuals were unable to rate their weight category, while 32 percent overweight people were unable to do so.

Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed were not aware of the cancer risk in being overweight, while 50 percent did not believe that staying healthy could avert cancer. Obesity is linked with breast cancer in post-menopausal women as well as increases the risk of kidney, esophageal bowel and stomach cancers.

"It is worrying to think that people are in denial about their weight. People who carry extra weight face significant health risks including cancer," said Dr Lesley Walker who heads the cancer information division at Cancer Research UK. "Obesity is one of the biggest known preventable causes of cancer for those who don't smoke. These results show too many of those at greatest risk are choosing to ignore their weight."

These thoughts were also echoed by Caroline Swain, executive director at Weight Concern, who said that the lack of awareness of health risk of obesity was worrying, "Education and support are a vital component in tackling the alarming rise in obesity in this country," she said.

Obesity is fast assuming pandemic proportions, according to the World Health Organization. It is lined with the so-called modern diseases like hypertension and diabetes.