It may be paradoxical but those who live on this Island are probably fitter than those in many other countries, but less healthy. Gyms abound, sport is very much a part of life and on any given morning and evening, joggers — the more serious athletes prefer to call themselves runners — can be seen on every road.

Age doesn’t seem to be a factor. The older we get, the more strenuous the exercise. Clearly, vanity comes into the equation.

But, sadly, our diet doesn’t complement our lifestyle.

Diabetes is probably at an all-time high, healthy hearts are hard to find, obesity is all around us and cancer, per capita, could be more prevalent than anywhere else. In global terms, we’re astronomically high on the list of cancer casualties.

We’re well aware that eating red meat can cause health problems, but how much? Recent scientific evidence suggests way too high.

Supermarkets have no qualms about selling steaks, chops, mincemeat and tinned meat. But there’s no warning about the dangers as is the case on cigarette packets.

Maybe that will change after the publishing of the World Health Organisation’s findings last week.

Those who gorge on hot dogs, bacon, salami and probably hamburgers, too, run the risk of colon, stomach and other cancers.

The WHO has put processed meat in the same bracket as smoking and working with asbestos.

Processed meat has been classified as “carcinogenic to humans”, linked to colon cancer.

Twenty-two scientists from the WHO have concluded that red meat is linked with colon, prostate and pancreatic cancers.

The organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer noted that its Global Burden of Disease project suggested that 34,000 cancer deaths per year are as a result of diets heavy in processed meat.

One million deaths are attributed to smoking, 600,000 to alcohol and 200,000 to air pollution. In Bermuda, it is estimated that one out of two men suffered prostate cancer — a stunning statistic.

Another worrying statistic is that which points to the richest countries, ie, Bermuda, being more susceptible to colon and pancreas cancer.

Any meat can increase the chances of bowel cancer, say the researchers.

Apparently, we eat a lot more red meat than the poorer countries.

A poor diet and a lack of exercise are the main contributors to the deadly disease.

However, those who work out every day, or jog, play tennis, squash and other strenuous sports obviously are not immune.

The exercise helps us to get fit and to shed unwanted pounds, but there are no guarantees. And, of course, family history plays a part. It’s difficult to adhere to a balanced diet in Bermuda, which suffers from a shortage of fresh produce, as our few farmers cannot meet demand.

Most people’s calorie count is too high and we’re told that too much cholesterol could ultimately be a killer.

We eat far too much canned food, which contains an unacceptable level of sodium.

We consume too much sugar. So chocolate, ice cream and many cereals are on the “banned” list. And we probably drink too much caffeine. On that score, we probably mirror the United States, Britain and France.

Hamilton has cafés on almost every corner. Their revenue comes mostly from coffee, pastries and muffins. The deadly duo — caffeine and sugar.

And don’t forget the saturated fat.

Spaghetti and other pasta is fine, but add in meatballs and you’re in trouble. The meatballs are just full of saturated fat.

It goes without saying, alcohol doesn’t contribute to a healthy diet. One drink a day is apparently fine but abstention is better.

Moderation, we’re told, is key. But how many of us stick to a moderate diet?

It’s not just what we eat and drink. There are other factors.

A now retired oncologist in Bermuda was fond of telling his friends the dangers of hazardous chemical spraying on golf courses. Don’t put a ball or tee in the mouth, he warned.

He was so wary of the chemical effects, after finishing his round, he would return to the clubhouse to take off his socks and wash his feet.

That may be seen as a dramatic measure. But in the years to come, it may be no more dramatic when cancer figures are released on those who live their lives with a mobile phone attached to the ear.

There’s no hard evident yet. But then the smokers were blissfully unaware of the health hazards until the scientists got to work.