What do experts recommend?
Medical groups provide recommendations regarding body weight for people with cancer. Learn more about the meanings of recommendations: Integrative Oncology Programs and Expert Guidelines ›
American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention ›
2020 clinical practice guidelines from the American Cancer Society recommend keeping body weight within the healthy range and avoid weight gain in adult life.
American Cancer Society nutrition and physical activity guideline for cancer survivors ›
These 2022 guidelines recommend avoiding obesity.
2013 clinical practice guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians recommend adding high calorie and protein supplements (1.5 kcal/mL) as a nutritional adjunct to achieve weight stabilization to address weight loss (weak recommendation).
Survivorship Care for Healthy Living Guidelines ›
These 2020 guidelines recommend achieving and maintaining a normal body weight.
Strategies to lose weight:
- Check your weight every day.
- Lose no more than two pounds a week if younger than 65 years of age. Lose no more than one pound a week if 65 years of age or older.
- Don’t eat too many high-calorie foods, especially empty-calorie foods.
- Control how much you eat by following plate or serving size standards.
- Address physical, mental, and social reasons for being overweight.
- See a registered dietician or join a weight management program.
- Use community resources.
- Don’t use weight loss supplements.
Strategies to gain weight:
- Eat more often.
- Eat food that is high in calories and nutrients.
- Don’t drink while eating.
- Address physical, mental, and social reasons of being underweight.
- See a registered dietician.
Strategies to maintain weight:
- Make maintaining normal body weight a goal.
- Check your weight every week.
- Don’t eat too many high-calorie foods, especially empty-calorie foods.
- Control how much you eat by following plate or serving size standards.
Survivorship Care for Cancer-Related Late and Long-Term Effects ›
NCCN 2024 guidelines for patients recommend maintaining a normal body weight for hot flashes, and losing weight if overweight to improve sexual function in men or sleep difficulty (obstructive sleep apnea).
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