More on the Harvard University Nutrition Study; Weight and the Relationship to Breast Cancer

The first report (NY Times) provides more information on the Harvard study that concludes that eating everything in moderation is simply wrong and that what you eat is important. Biggest contributors to weight gain include (in order) french fries, potato chips, sugar-sweetened drinks, red meats and processed meats, other forms of potatoes, sweets and deserts, refined grains, other fried foods, 100% fruit juice and butter. Foods that contribute to weight loss/control include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and most importantly yogurt. Other influences to weight gain that were supported include length of sleep each night, amount of television watched, alcohol intake and smoking. The second report validates prior research supporting that weight has the strongest effect on the sex hormones that increase breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women (British Journal of Cancer).