Calorie Intake

Obesity is associated with a higher risk of cancer in general, and the two share metabolic pathways that contribute to both. Oxidative stress, increased growth/cell replication, sex and growth hormones/factors, inflammation, and immune activation are all interconnected processes. Dietary effects are more sensitive at important phases of reproduction, growth, and weight changes, emphasizing the need for early/lifelong dietary prevention of cancer and obesity, starting in childhood. The cornerstones of lifestyle recommendations to regulate both include low-calorie density, a variety of plant-based meals with minimum processing—whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables—as well as additional molecular investigation of traditional diets connected with low incidence.

Nutrition, Obesity, and Metabolism: Prevention and Control

Energy Density Reduction

Body weight and fat management, dyslipidemia and dysglycemia, and the inflammatory and oxidative processes that link excess weight to cancer can all be improved by reducing calorie intake and eating low DED meals. DED can be reduced by increasing water and fiber consumption while decreasing added sugars (especially refined sugars), saturated and trans fats, and alcohol consumption, all of which provide a lot of calories but few or no essential nutrients and have a low satiating potential due to a lack of gut distension. Reduced calorie intake can also be achieved by reducing meal portion sizes and frequency of consumption.

Low-DED, nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables and fruits, whole grains, legumes, soups, and water or unsweetened beverages are frequently recommendedto substitute high-DED, refined-ingredient meals and beverages.