While the exact link between being overweight and getting cancer are not precisely known, researchers recommend that losing weight can reduce the chance of a specific cancer. In women, post-menopausal breast cancer is prevalent amongst women who experience a surge in weight gain, triggering unusual hormonal changes.

According to the latest nutritional guidelines of the American Cancer Society, (ACS), there is more of a need to control weight than previously determined. The director of nutrition and physical activity, co-author of the ACS new guidelines, Colleen Doyle, MS, RD contends that although there is now evidence showing how losing weight can lower the risk for post-menopausal breast cancer.

As a result, the new finding depicts that keeping weight could be the best lifestyle preventative against cancer. The ACS utilizes the body mass index (BMI) to benchmark a healthy weight. The body mass index BMI is calculated based on an individual's weight and weight. The ideal BMI target ranges between 18.5 and 24.9. Body mass indices from 25 to 29.9 are deemed as overweight. Obesity is defined as a BMI over 30.

In the realm of nutrition, a well-rounded diet, predominant plant-based foods and portion control is the basics to maintaining a healthy weight. Obviously, deep-fried, processed and fast foods lack nutritional sustenance.

Based on the amount of food being consumed coupled with the sedentary lives of many Americans, the American Cancer Society, (ACS) has upped the ante on physical fitness. Latter guidelines recommended only 30 minutes of daily cumulative exercise (walking, climbing stairs and other fitness programs).

However, the ACS has rewritten the objectives, saying that a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise at least five days a week is far more better. In fact, 45-60 minutes of physical activity five days a week should be the ultimate goal.