The Benefits of a Healthy Weight
There are lots of benefits that come with getting to a healthy weight. If you are currently underweight, it could reduce your body’s ability to recover and fight infection. If you are currently overweight or obese, it can put you at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and possibly a second cancer. Even if you lose as little as 5-10 pounds it can make a difference in your health.
You can click here to use our BMI calculator to see how your weight compares to a healthy weight.
Healthy weight loss may...
Reduce your chances of getting some cancers.
Being overweight or obese is linked to the following cancers:
- Breast (type that occurs after menopause)
- Colon
- Endometrium
- Kidney
- Esophagus
- Pancreas
- Thyroid
- Gallbladder
- Ovary
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[if they report prostate cancer in their profile AND they are overweight or obese] While your diagnosis of prostate cancer is not on the list of “weight-related cancers” above, it is important for you to know that the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer occur in men who are overweight or obese. Therefore, please consider making healthier food choices and getting more exercise so that you can get your weight under control.
[if they report one of the cancer types above in their profile AND they are overweight or obese] Because you already have been diagnosed with a “weight-related cancer,” your body may be especially prone to other weight-related cancers or health conditions. Your cancer diagnosis may be your body’s way of giving you a “wake-up call” that you should consider making healthier food choices and getting more exercise.
[if they report one of the cancer types above in their profile AND they are normal weight] Sometimes, people who are normal weight, such as yourself, are diagnosed with a “weight-related cancer.” While this doesn’t seem fair, there also are plenty of people who get lung cancer who don’t smoke. The best assurance of not getting another weight-related cancer is to keep your weight in the normal range.
How could being overweight cause cancer?
Extra fat causes your body to work harder. For example, heavier people have to make more insulin, because their body doesn’t react to normal levels. This extra insulin affects tumor cells and helps them grow. Also, some sex hormones are made in fat tissue. If you have more fat, you often have more of these hormones which are linked to various female and male cancers. Extra fat also causes inflammation and reduces how well your immune system works. If you lose weight, it helps to “normalize” all of these processes.
Reduce your chances of a cancer recurrence.
In some cases, you can get a new cancer in the same site as your previous diagnosis. For example, if you are a kidney cancer survivor, then being overweight can increase your chances of getting kidney cancer again. But you also have a greater chance of getting another type of cancer, especially cancers that that are listed above.
So, achieving a healthy weight is very important.
Give you more energy throughout the day.
Carrying extra weight can tire you out! Can you imagine how tired you would be if you had to carry around a 5- or 10- pound sack of flour everywhere you went? You are doing the same thing if you are 5 or 10 pounds overweight. Start your weight loss plan and gain energy using this website.
Help you sleep better.
Sleep apnea is a known side effect of being overweight. In addition, overweight people often have trouble sleeping because of hot flashes or waking to go to the bathroom. Not getting proper sleep leads to many problems like fatigue, attention loss, and over-eating. Lose weight and sleep better.
Lengthen your life.
Studies show that people who are a healthy weight, or even close to a healthy weight, live longer. People who are normal weight are much less likely to have heart disease, stroke, some forms of arthritis, diabetes, and many forms of cancer. Lose weight to live longer and live healthier.
Reduce your chances of getting lots of other health problems, like heart disease and diabetes.
Your body organs have to work harder if you are overweight. For example, for every pound that you are overweight, your heart has to pump an extra half mile a day. Your pancreas also needs to make more insulin. Lose weight and give your body a break.
Improve your mental health.
The body and the mind are linked. If you follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise, it can improve your outlook on life. If you follow a healthy lifestyle, it also may help reduce depression and anxiety.
