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Obesity and Cancer Linked
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- Parent Category: Upper-Intermediate News Lessons
- Category: Health Lessons
- Written by Chris Cotter
Obesity causes many ailments, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. In fact, the American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that more than 100,000 cases of cancer occur yearly in the US because of obesity. This statement comes from evidence supported by the annual number of cancer cases. It is the first evidence that demonstrates the link between cancer and obesity on such an immense scale. Furthermore, health experts already know that obesity shortens the survival rate of people afflicted with cancer. Learner and healthier lifestyles are essential to reducing the risks of cancer.
It shouldn't be much of a surprise that obesity often starts in childhood. After all, children observe and mimic the eating habits of their parents. If mom and dad often eat fast food, it sends a clear signal that hamburgers, fries, and jumbo-sized soft drinks are an acceptable diet choice.
New evidence indicates that the start of weight problems is caused by other factors, not just cheeseburgers and the like. In fact, the cause can be very subtle. For example, if very young kids drink two or more sweetened drinks daily, then they tended to weigh more and have higher contents of body fat than kids who didn't drink sweetened beverages. In addition, past studies show that overweight teens have a greater chance of becoming obese as adults, which then leads to health problems like cancer.
In short, obesity is more than a minor concern. It is reaching epidemic proportions, with the disease starting as young as childhood. Clearly something must be done.
Preview some of the lesson material:
Warm Up: Do you agree or disagree? Why?
- Obesity is a serious problem.
- Obesity should be labeled a disease like cancer or AIDS.
- Cancer is a serious problem.
- Obesity causes cancer.
- I'm very concerned about my health.
Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from today's article.
- Obesity causes many ailments, such as...
- Learner and healthier lifestyles are essential...
- After all, children observe and mimic...
- New evidence indicates that the start of weight problems is caused by other factors, not...
- It is reaching epidemic proportions, with...
post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!
- How serious of a problem is obesity? Please explain.
- What additional health problems are caused by obesity?
- Were you surprised that obesity can begin from something simple like sweetened drinks?
- What should parents do in order to prevent obesity in their children?
- Should the government or other organizations do anything to limit obesity?
Google Search: Type "obesity" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.
