by HaniaMalnutrition
Technology has made farming easier but government policy and climate change have slashed the foods produced by villagers which they fear is killing them when combined with the explosion in fast-food.
“Now we don’t know where the oils we eat come from because we buy what’s quick and cheap and easy,”
many people are suffering from cancer, hardening of the arteries and other ailments, likely caused by eating low-quality oil, sugary drinks, salty snacks and instant noodles.
Data shows one in five deaths worldwide in 2017 was linked to unhealthy diets in both poor and rich countries as burgers and soda replaced traditional diets and a warming planet impacted the variety of crops grown.
Malnutrition is the number one cause of disease, disability and death, too many children are not growing and developing properly due to a lack of food while obesity is escalating.
After decades of concentrating on how to feed an expanding global population, political leaders are realizing that nutrition – not hunger – is the new frontier, and the focus is shifting from providing enough food to food that is good.
Governments, companies and aid agencies are now racing to shake up the world’s unhealthy food habits, using legislation, educational campaigns, new and reformulated products, and greener ways of farming. The challenges, however, are huge – not least because climate change threatens to reduce both the quantity and quality of crops, lowering yields.
Modern diets are contributing to ballooning overweight and obesity figures, and a rise in lifestyle / non-communicable diseases such as stroke, cancer, diabetes and heart disease. People are starting to suffer from all those chronic diseases at a much earlier age because now they’re getting exposed to poor nutrition, bad diets and lifestyles from a much earlier age.
Diseases related to poor diet, such as being overweight, obesity and diabetes, are increasing significantly. World Health Organization estimates that around 45% of deaths of children under 5 years of age are related to malnutrition, which, for the most part, are registered in low- and middle-income countries. At the same time, rates of childhood overweight and obesity are increasing in these countries.
For this reason, it is important to identify and treat the factors related to poor nutrition, as well as to recognize the habits that promote a healthy life and prevent the development of diseases.
A balanced diet begins when you choose your food. It is important to avoid consuming excess salt, sugar and certain fats (trans and saturated), and to increase the intake of fruits, vegetables and fiber. Furthermore, it is necessary to avoid a sedentary lifestyle to reduce the risk of chronic diseases related to dietary factors.
Poor nutrition can contribute to stress, tiredness, and our capacity to work, and over time, it can contribute to the risk of developing some illnesses and other health problems such as: being overweight or obese. tooth decay. high blood pressure.
- Unhealthy diets and the resulting malnutrition are major drivers of noncommunicable / lifestyle diseases around the world.
- Malnutrition includes undernutrition, overweight and obesity, and other diet-related NCDs like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease(heart diseases) and stroke, and some cancers.
- What people eat has changed dramatically over the last few decades. This has been driven by shifts towards calorific and fatty foods, eating out, and an increase in food portion sizes, combined with a lower intake of fruit, vegetables, and high-fiber foods.
- Healthy diets are unaffordable for the poor in every region of the world and people are increasingly exposed to ultra-processed, unhealthy foods and diets that lead to poorer health.
Unhealthy diets and resulting malnutrition are linked to several noncommunicable / lifestyle diseases, including Some cancers like, esophageal cancer; tracheal, bronchus and lung cancer; lip and oral cavity cancer; nasopharynx cancer; colon and rectum cancer and these diseases are driven by common dietary risk factors, including:
- High salt intake – a leading dietary risk factor for death and illness worldwide. High salt consumption increases blood pressure, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, chronic kidney disease and some cancers.
- High sugar intake – excess sugars can contribute to tooth decay and weight gain, leading to overweight and obesity, as well as higher blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and stroke, and some cancers.
- High trans fats intake – linked to cardiovascular disease and stroke.
- Low fruit and veg intake – linked to several cancers, cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Low intake of fibres, grains, nuts, seeds, micronutrients – linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke, and some cancers.
Tackle Unhealthy diets and Malnutrition
Strategies to tackle unhealthy diets and malnutrition – leading to overweight, obesity and many noncommunicable diseases – should be part of a comprehensive package of policies that aim to improve the food system.
Implementing strong nutrition policies will not only accelerate progress towards global NCD targets – but is essential to build healthier and more resilient populations that are better prepared to deal with future health emergencies.
These strategies include health information and communication strategies that improve population awareness about the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity; fiscal measures that increase the price of unhealthy food content or reduce the cost of healthy foods rich in fibre; and regulatory measures that improve nutritional information or restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods to children. A package of measures for the prevention of chronic diseases would deliver substantial health gains, with a very favorable cost-effectiveness profile.