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Understanding Cancer SeriesMarch 31, 2004
What is physical activity?
Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by skeletal
muscles; such movement results in an expenditure of energy. Physical activity is a
critical component of energy balance, a term used to describe how weight, diet, and
physical activity influence health, including cancer risk.
January 30, 2004
At a time when nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population is considered overweight or obese, compelling evidence suggests that excess body weight is a risk factor for many cancers. However, body weight is among many health and lifestyle related factors that play a role in cancer risk and survival. The term “energy balance” describes the complex interaction of diet, physical activity, and genetics, and may play an important role in cancer prevention and control.