on food packaging, including the new requirement for
information about how much sugar has been added to
the food product ( 60).
The new public education and policy initiatives are
important steps toward reducing the burden of cancer
caused by being over weight or obese, being inactive, and/
or eating a poor diet. More research is needed, however,
to better understand the effect on cancer risk of exposure
to these cancer risk factors at various stages of life. For
example, recent data suggest that increased body weight
during childhood and adolescence may increase risk for
colorectal cancer later in life ( 62, 63), while eating plenty
of fruit during adolescence may decrease risk for breast
cancer in later life ( 64), although more research is required
to confirm these findings.
Sixty minutes or more of
physical activity such as
running daily.
Muscle- and bone-strengthening exercises
such as pushups at least three days per week.
All adults should avoid inactivity;
some physical activity is
better than none.
At least 150 minutes per
week of moderate-intensity activity
such as a brisk walk
or 75 minutes
per week of
vigorous-intensity
activity, such as running.
Moderate- or high-intensity
muscle-strengthening activities
two or more days per week.
Older adults, those who are pregnant,
and/or those with disabilities should
consult their physicians and the
modified guidelines.
Cancer survivors should consult their
physicians and follow modified
guidelines adapted for their specific
cancers and treatments.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following minimum physical activity
levels to improve the nation’s health; see http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/summary.aspx.
FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
FOR ADULTS
FOR SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Adapted from ( 1)
New U.S. dietary guidelines
recommend added sugars account
for no more than
10%
of daily calories, which is equivalent
to about 50 grams of added sugar
per day ( 59).
