Being overweight or obese and lack of physical inactivity are risk factors for developing cancers of the colon, rectum, breast, uterus, pancreas, kidney, in addition to other diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Although, these risk factors are modifiable by healthful diets and exercise, there has been a steady increase in the percentage of Floridians who are obese or physically inactive. Reversing this trend in Florida is necessary for preventing cancer and other lethal diseases.
One of the goals in the 2020-2025 Florida Cancer Plan is to: Reduce the risk of cancer in all Floridians through maintenance of healthy body weights, physical activity, and healthful diets. (Goal 8)
A strategy for this goal is to: Educate Floridians on how to calculate their body mass index (BMI) to determine their weight status category (i.e., obese, overweight, healthy, or underweight) by using calculators such as the CDC BMI calculators located via https://www.ccrab.org/bmi
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BMI calculators:
Adult BMI Calculator:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.html
BMI Percentile Calculator for Child and Teen: