Obesity and Cancer Risk

Our Chiropractor Clinic knows that during the past several decades, the percentage of overweight and obese adults and children has increased markedly. We also know that obesity is associated with increased risks of cancers of the esophagus, breast (postmenopausal), endometrium (the lining of the uterus), colon and rectum, kidney, pancreas, thyroid, gallbladder, and possibly other cancer types. Obese people are also at higher risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and a number of other chronic diseases. Chiropractor Information So what is obesity? Obesity is a condition in which a person has an abnormally high and unhealthy proportion of body fat. To measure obesity, researchers commonly use a scale known as the body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated by dividing a persons weight (in kilograms) by their height (in meters) squared. BMI provides a more accurate measure of obesity or being overweight than weight alone. Guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) place adults age 20 and older into the following categories based on their BMI: BMI Below 18.5 18.5 to 24.9 25.0 to 29.9 30.0 and above BMI Categories Underweight Normal Overweight Obese

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute provides a BMI calculator. For children and adolescents (less than 20 years of age), overweight and obesity are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) BMI-for-age growth charts: BMI BMI-for-age at or above sexspecific 85th percentile, but less than 95th percentile BMI Categories

Overweight

BMI-for-age at or above sexspecific 95th percentile

Obese

Compared with people of normal weight, those who are overweight or obese are at greater risk for many diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and certain cancers. Results from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) show that 68 percent of U.S. adults age 20 years and older are overweight or obese. In 19881994, by contrast, only 56 percent of adults age 20 and older were overweight or obese. In addition, the percentage of children who are overweight or obese has also increased. Among children and teens ages 2 to 19, 17 percent are estimated to be obese, based on the 20072008 survey. In 19881994, that figure was only 10 percent. If you are ready to understand and embrace change, learn and feel empowered, call our Peoria IL Chiropractor Clinic of Dr. Justin Tuttle at 309-693-9200 and ask about our Peoria IL Weight Loss Program. You have nothing to lose (but the weight itself) and so much to gain by empowering and investing in yourself. Tuttle Chiropractic was named the winner of the 2013 Pjstar.com Readers Choice Award for Health and Well Being in the Chiropractic Physicians category for Peoria IL.