Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer : Recommendations

General

Based on the data and evidence presented in its 2007 report, the WCRF/AICR have drawn up a set of 10 recommendations, eight more general and two special ones. For each of this set of 10 also public health goals and personal recommendations were derived. The public health goals are meant for populations, and thus in principal for health professionals, as a basis for developing health policies. Personal recommendations are meant to guide people, either as communities, families or individuals. All recommendations aim to integrate and to contribute to healthy dietary patterns, a healthy lifestyle and general well-being.

Recommendations

A summary of all recommendations, with some minor adaptations due to spatial limitations, is shown in the table below and in its original form also at the appropriate WCRF pages which do contain the full text.

1. Body fatness : Be as lean as possible within the normal range of bodyweight

Public	Median adult BMI between 21 and 23. Percentage overweight persons not to increase, and preferably lower in 10 years
Personal	Bodyweight gain at childhood and adolescence to give normal BMI at age 21.Maintain normal range BMI after age 21.Avoid weight gain and increasing waist circumference during adulthood

2. Physical activity: Be physically active as part of everyday life

Public	% of sedentary people to halve every 10 years. Average physical activity levels (PALs) to be above 1.6
Personal	Be moderately physically active for at least 30 min every day. As fitness improves aim for 60 min moderate or 30 min vigorous activity/day. Limit sedentary habits as TV watching.

3. Foods and drinks that promote weight gain: Limit consumption of energy-dense foods. Avoid sugary drinks

Public	Average energy density of diets to be lowered to 125 kcal/100 g. Population average consumption of sugary drinks to be halved every 10 years
Personal	Eat energy-dense foods sparsely. Avoid sugary drinks. Eat ‘fast foods’ sparingly, if at all.

4. Plant foods: Eat mostly foods of plant origin

Public	Population average intake of non-starchy fruits and vegetables at least 600 g/day. Cereals (grains), and/or pulses (legumes) and other foods with dietary fibre, daily average at least 25 g/day
Personal	At least 5 portions/servings a day of ns-vegetables and fruits. Eat cereals (grains) and pulses (legumes) with every meal. Limit refined starchy foods. If starchy roots/tubers are consumed as staples, ensure intake of enough non starchy vegetables, fruits and pulses (legumes).

5. Animal foods: Limit intake of red meat and avoid processed meat

Public	Population average of red meat no more than 300 g /week, little if any processed.
Personal	People eating red meat to consume less than 500 g/week, little if any processed.

6. Alcoholic drinks: Limit alcoholic drinks

Public	Reduction % population drinking more than recommended limits by one third every 10 years.
Personal	Limit daily consumption to no more than 2 drinks (women) and 3 drinks (men)

7. Preservation, processing, preparation: Limit consumption of salt. Avoid mouldy cereals (grains) or pulses (legumes)

Public	Population average salt (all sources) < 5 g per day. % of people consuming > 6 g/day to be halved every 10 years. Minimise exposure to aflatoxins (from mouldy cereals and pulses).
Personal	Avoid salt-preserved, salted, or salty foods. Limit intake of processed foods with added salt to < 6 g/day. Do not eat mouldy cereals or pulses.

8. Dietary supplements: Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone

Public	Maximize proportion of population achieving nutritional adequacy without dietary supplements.
Personal	Dietary supplements are not recommended for cancer prevention.

9. Breastfeeding: Mothers to breastfeed; children to be breastfed

Public	Majority of mothers to breastfeed exclusively, for six months.
Personal	Aim to breastfeed infants exclusively up to six months, continue with complementary feeding thereafter

10. Cancer survivors: Follow the recommendations for cancer prevention

Distinction not made by WCRF/AICR

All cancer survivors to receive nutritional care from an appropriately trained professional. Aim to follow the recommendations for diet, healthy weight and physical activity, unless otherwise advised or unable to do so.