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Parent Category: Advanced News Lessons

Category: Health Lessons

Written by Chris Cotter

Obesity causes numerous ailments, from heart disease to diabetes to cancer. In fact, the American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that in excess of 100,000 cases of cancer occur yearly in the US because of obesity. This statement comes from evidence extrapolated from the annual number of cancer cases. It is the first evidence that demonstrates the link between cancer and obesity on such an immense scale. Furthermore, it has already been realized that obesity markedlyshortens the survival rate of individuals afflicted with cancer. Leaner and healthier lifestyles are key to reducing cancer risks.

It should come as no surprise that obesity oftentimes starts at a young age, with children observing and mimicking the eating habits of their parents. It mom and dad are frequenters of fast food joints, it sends a clear signal that hamburgers, fries, and jumbo-sized soft drinks are a reasonable diet choice.

New evidence indicates that the origin of weight problems later in life can be subtler than cheeseburgers and the like. If kids drink two or more sweetened drinks daily as early as five years of age, then they tended to weigh more and have higher contents of body fat than kids who abstainedfrom sweetened drinks. In addition, past studies irrefutably indicate that overweight teens have a greater likelihood of becoming obese as adults, leading to health problems like cancer.

In short, obesity is more than a passing concern. It is reaching epidemic proportions, with the disease starting as young as childhood. Clearly something must be done.