(Finance) – A balanced diet can contribute to the prevention of some forms of tumors, but in Italy only 7% of the adult population adopts correct eating habits starting, for example, from the consumption of fruit and vegetables. The growth in garbage food and ultra-formulated food consumption, especially among the new generations. This is what the ALETHEIA Foundation – first Italian scientific think tank chaired by Stefano Lucchini and directed by Riccardo Fargionededicated to the relationship between food, healthy lifestyles and health – on the occasion of the World Day against Cancer, underlining the importance of proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles as useful tools in the prevention of tumors, with particular attention towards young generations.
In 2023, about 395 thousand new cases of cancer were recorded in Italy, With an increase of 5% compared to 376 thousand in 2020. This phenomenon, which also involves the new generations, is influenced by several factors, including not always adequate eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle.
THE Tumors of the digestive tract They are among the most widespread with a prevalence of 26% of cases and food behaviors and sedentary lifestyle play a significant role.
“Obesity, linked to inflammatory mediators and metabolic anomalies, is a significant risk factor for the onset of tumors, as highlighted in the report of the World Fund for Cancer Research. On this condition – he says Antonio Gasbarrini Professor of Internal Medicine and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the Catholic University, Director of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, University Polyclinic Foundation Gemelli IRCCS – Sedentarity is added, which further increases health risks. However, aware food choices represent a fundamental protection against many diseases related to modern lifestyle. The Aletheia Foundation, in line with the indications of the World Health Organization, underlines the urgency to promote greater awareness among young people regarding proper nutrition, so that they can adopt healthy lifestyles from a young age, thus contributing to prevention of cancer and other chronic diseases “.
According to the analysis of the Aletheia Foundation, Only 7% of the Italian adult population consume the recommended daily quantity of fruit and vegetables (400 grams)while more than half is limited to a consumption of 1-2 portions per day, below the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). A balanced diet represents a fundamental element for the prevention of tumors: according to WHO, correct diet and healthy lifestyles could help prevent up to 40% of tumors, including colon, breast, stomach and to the esophagus.
Next to the diet, too obesity and sedentary lifestyle They are factors that must be considered. WHO data They show that only 47% of Italians regularly practice physical activity, while 30% lead a sedentary lifestyle. In particular, young people are increasingly exposed to these risk factors, in part due to little healthy food models and a growing time spent in front of electronic devices.
(Photo: Dan Gold on UNSPLASH)