Sedentary lifestyle is considered the fourth leading risk factor for mortality worldwide And, according to the World Health Organization, it is the main cause of some types of cancer, such as colon and breast cancer, and of diabetes.
The impact of physical inactivity on health is so significant that the Spanish government decided to include it in the Health Promotion and Prevention Strategy of the National Health System, through the guide “Physical Activity for Health and Reduction of Sedentary Behavior: Recommendations for the Population.” guideWe can find guidelines for physical activity according to age ranges. They also include a special section with advice during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Along these lines, the book “Nutrition and Cancer: What Science Teaches Us” was presented last week. Its main author, Carlos Alberto González Svatetz, analyzes dietary patterns, nutrients, and foods and their relationship to cancer. He also addresses the consequences of alcohol and tobacco use, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle on cancer risk.
In Spain, tobacco is responsible for 20% of tumors and alcohol is the main cause of 11%.
Furthermore, in recent years the number of cases of obesity has increased in our country, a condition that increases the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
The book also includes dietary recommendations for cancer prevention. Furthermore, the various published studies describe the evidence of the benefits of healthy lifestyle habits. Not smoking, exercising regularly, following a Mediterranean diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, maintaining a normal weight and not drinking alcohol (or doing so in moderation) reduces the risk of gastric cancer by 51%, colon cancer by 37% and breast cancer by 26%.