Right now, excess weight is the third leading preventable cause of cancer behind tobacco and physical inactivity
While many people are aware of the connection between excess weight and ailments such as heart disease, more work needs to be done so people understand it also raises their cancer risk, said Christine Friedenreich, co-principal investigator of the study.
“It is so complicated,” said Dr. Friedenreich, who is scientific director for the department of cancer epidemiology and prevention research at Alberta Health Services. “It isn’t something we can easily change, but I think raising awareness is the first thing.” The rising rates of excess weight in Canada are caused by a range of factors, which include everything from access to nutritious, affordable food, physical-activity policies in schools to neighbourhood design. Dr. Friedenreich said solving this complex problem won’t be easy, but that policy-makers can look to past successes in reducing smoking rates, for instance, for inspiration.
She highlighted the fact last week, Health Canada announced that soon all tobacco packages in Canada will have to be sold in brown packages devoid of any brand logos or colours, which is the latest in a long series of steps to help make smoking less appealing and accessible. Dr. Friedenreich said the study results should send a strong message to policy-makers that they need to adopt specific strategies to combat the problem of excess weight. She added this is one reason why the study is valuable, as publishing this data and spelling out the extent of the problem can help spur action.“I think sometimes, for decision-makers, having those numbers right in front may help motivate them to make some changes,” Dr. Friedenreich said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Maroon is in right place, right time to send Blues to West final - Sportsnet.caJust when it looked like the unforgiving hockey gods would wickedly reward the road team in Game 7 against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, the St. Louis Blues struck with Pat Maroon playing the part of hometown hero, sending the Blues to the conference final for the first time since 2016.
Read more »
Canadians love to complain about the weather — this time we may be rightKevin Carmichael: Who knows? Spring might not just bring sunshine; it might also bring an economic recovery
Read more »
'Ours is the original': Kardashian company accused of ripping off B.C. entrepreneurKhloe Kardashian's clothing company Good American is under fire from a Vancouver store owner who’s accusing the reality TV star of copying a slogan she said she’s been using for two years.
Read more »
Alberta now has power to cut oil to B.C. — but won’t use it right awayProvince will take action if further obstruction to Trans Mountain expansion
Read more »
B.C. Appeal Court says American Indigenous man has right to hunt in CanadaRichard Desautel was originally charged under the Wildlife Act with hunting without a licence and hunting big game while not a resident of B.C. after he shot and killed an elk near Castlegar in 201…
Read more »
B.C. court upholds ruling stating American Indigenous man has right to hunt in CanadaRichard Desautel was originally charged under the Wildlife Act with hunting without a licence and hunting big game while not a resident of B.C. after he shot and killed an elk near Castlegar in 2010
Read more »
Italy emerges as ground zero for a wave of far-right populism ahead of EU electionsThe country’s populist interior minister, Matteo Salvini, recently met with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, sharing a vision for the continent with sturdy borders
Read more »
Follow the right protocol to adjust or dispute your tax filingsMaybe you’ve filed your tax return for 2018 and now realize that you forgot a deduction or credit, reported or claimed an incorrect amount, found more receipts, missed a slip or otherwise need to change what you filed with the taxman
Read more »
Nipissing University investigates following report of student-teacher connected to far-right chat groupThe North Bay, Ont.-based university sent an e-mail to staff and faculty Tuesday saying it was ‘investigating the student in question’ following a Globe and Mail story about a far-right discussion group called Canadian Super Players
Read more »
Alberta law allows oil cuts to B.C.; Premier Kenney says won't use right awayAlberta Premier Jason Kenney says his government now has the power to reduce oil flows to British Columbia in the fight over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
Read more »