Fitness Trumps Fatness in Determining Risk of Cancer Death in Men

When it comes to reducing your risk of cancer death, a new study shows that getting fit is more important than losing weight.

The Cooper Institute, a research and education nonprofit located at the world-renowned Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, announces a new study published in Obesity showing that fitness trumps fatness in determining risk of cancer mortality among men. Cancer is the second leading cause of death among U.S. men. While tobacco use and poor diet remain the largest contributors to cancer mortality, for the first time there is new research that obesity and low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness contributes to cancer mortality as well.

“This is the first study that shows that sedentary men of all body fatness levels should strive to become at least moderately fit in order to decrease the risk of cancer mortality,” said lead researcher and Director of Professional Education Stephen Farrell, Ph.D. “Due to research by The Cooper Institute, we’ve long known that fitness is more important than fatness in decreasing the risk of heart disease. Now we know the same is true about death from all cancers among men. This is an important breakthrough to improve men’s health.” Read more