European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition – diet, excess body weight, physical activity, sedentary behavior, breastfeeding, and cancer

TY - JOUR

T1 - European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition – diet, excess body weight, physical activity, sedentary behavior, breastfeeding, and cancer

AU - Leitzmann, Michael F.

AU - Bakogianni, Ioanna

AU - Anderson, Annie S.

AU - Bauld, Linda

AU - Fernandez, Esteve

AU - Morris, Sherry

AU - Srour, Bernard

AU - Vardavas, Constantine

AU - Vlad, Ioana

AU - Vuik, Sabine

AU - Weijenberg, Matty

AU - Figuls, Marta Roqué I.

AU - Rigau, David

AU - Feliu, Ariadna

AU - Zeeb, Hajo

AU - Schüz, Joachim

AU - D'Souza, Erica

AU - Ritchie, David

AU - Espina, Carolina

AU - Riboli, Elio

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Molecular Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

PY - 2026/1/16

Y1 - 2026/1/16

N2 - Diet, body weight, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and breastfeeding are modifiable factors influencing the cancer burden in the European Union, shaped by underlying social, commercial, environmental, and behavioral conditions. Excess body weight has reached epidemic levels, significantly influenced by widespread intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods rich in sugar, fat, and salt. Consumption of red and processed meat also commonly exceeds dietary recommendations. Physical inactivity and prolonged sedentary behavior are widespread. Breastfeeding rates vary widely across Europe but are generally low, particularly in high-income countries. To reduce cancer risk, the European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition (ECAC5) recommends a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits, while limiting red meat and avoiding processed meat. Intake of vegetables, legumes, and fruits prevents aerodigestive tract cancers, while diets high in whole grains and low in red and processed meat reduce colorectal cancer risk. Avoiding excess body weight through diet and physical activity, and limiting prolonged sitting, decreases risk of numerous cancers. Promoting and supporting sustained breastfeeding contributes to lowering breast cancer risk. Key policy interventions, such as fiscal incentives, urban planning, marketing restrictions, and public awareness campaigns, are central to creating supportive environments for cancer prevention.

AB - Diet, body weight, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and breastfeeding are modifiable factors influencing the cancer burden in the European Union, shaped by underlying social, commercial, environmental, and behavioral conditions. Excess body weight has reached epidemic levels, significantly influenced by widespread intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods rich in sugar, fat, and salt. Consumption of red and processed meat also commonly exceeds dietary recommendations. Physical inactivity and prolonged sedentary behavior are widespread. Breastfeeding rates vary widely across Europe but are generally low, particularly in high-income countries. To reduce cancer risk, the European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition (ECAC5) recommends a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits, while limiting red meat and avoiding processed meat. Intake of vegetables, legumes, and fruits prevents aerodigestive tract cancers, while diets high in whole grains and low in red and processed meat reduce colorectal cancer risk. Avoiding excess body weight through diet and physical activity, and limiting prolonged sitting, decreases risk of numerous cancers. Promoting and supporting sustained breastfeeding contributes to lowering breast cancer risk. Key policy interventions, such as fiscal incentives, urban planning, marketing restrictions, and public awareness campaigns, are central to creating supportive environments for cancer prevention.

KW - body weight

KW - breastfeeding

KW - cancer

KW - diet

KW - European Code Against Cancer

KW - physical activity

KW - sedentary behavior

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105027705180

U2 - 10.1002/1878-0261.70201

DO - 10.1002/1878-0261.70201

M3 - Article

C2 - 41542809

AN - SCOPUS:105027705180

SN - 1574-7891

VL - 20

SP - 28

EP - 48

JO - Molecular Oncology

JF - Molecular Oncology

IS - 1

ER -