Types of cancers linked with obesity [body mass index (BMI) of 30 and over] include the following:

Not only does obesity increase the risk of developing cancer, it also increases the likelihood of dying from cancer.

In a Cancer Council report on junk food and cancer risk, it was noted that obesity has overtaken smoking as the leading cause of premature death and illness in Australia.

Can you decrease your risk?

The answer is yes, by maintaining or achieving a healthy body weight. To meet that aim, you should undertake regular physical activity and incidental activity (such as parking further away from work or using the stairs).

Also, you should follow the recent National Dietary Guidelines for Australian Adults and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, developed by the NH&MRC by having moderate portion sizes and increasing your intake of vegetables, fruits and high-fibre cereals and reducing the intake of soft drinks and other beverages high in sugar. Wholegrain cereals, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and legumes are high in dietary fibre.

Breastfeeding is encouraged as it may prevent obesity in children, as well as protect the mother from breast cancer.

The key message is that cancer may be added to the list of lifestyle diseases linked with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and sleep apnoea.

That risk can be reduced by achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active.

Professor Maureen Lonergan is Director Renal Services at Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. These health tips are provided by researchers affiliated or associated with the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, which runs the HealthTrack study. Please consult your doctor for specific medical advice.