a BMI of 30 or greater.
At least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, is recommended for adults. Unfortunately, federal survey data show only about 1 in 5 U.S. women say they meet that requirement. And research suggests getting less than the recommended amount of physical activity each week is associated with an elevated risk for both cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.
Sedentary time poses the same risks.
“If you are sitting for a long time, you need to get up and walk around,” even if you exercise that day, says Dr. Tochukwu Okwuosa, a cardiologist and associate professor at Rush Medical College in Chicago. Getting up every hour for even a minute or two will benefit the body, she shares.
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The takeaway here is moderation for those who drink alcohol – and not starting for those who don’t. Moderation means no more than one drink a day for women, according to the AHA and cancer society.
And “make sure you don’t binge,” Okwuosa says. For women, binge drinking typically translates to four or more drinks in a two-hour period, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Excessive drinking can increase the risk for liver disease, breast cancer and a range of cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
Okwuosa says women also should be aware of the risks associated with postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy, which has been
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