CHRONIC LIFESTYLE DISEASES

Critics say little is being done to tackle Asia's biggest killers such as cancer, diabetes, respiratory and heart disease. It is predicted that globally, deaths from Chronic 'Lifestyle Diseases' will increase by 77% between 1990 and 2020 and that most of these deaths will occur in the developing regions of the world. The causes of this dramatic health shift are mainly from sedentary jobs, poor diet, smoking and alcohol. These conditions not only cause enormous human suffering, they threaten the economies of many countries as they impact on the older and experienced members of the workforce.

"Eat more fruits and vegetables"

Definition of Chronic 'Lifestyle Diseases'

Chronic diseases of lifestyle are a group of diseases that share similar risk factors as a result of exposure, over many decades, to unhealthy diets, smoking, lack of exercise and possibly stress.

The major risk factors include high blood pressure, tobacco addiction, high blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. These results in various disease processes such as strokes, heart attacks, tobacco- and nutrition-induced cancers, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and many others that culminate in high mortality and morbidity rates.

Internationally, these diseases are also called 'noncommunicable diseases' or 'degenerative diseases'.

Extent of Chronic 'Lifestyle Diseases'

Many of the chronic disease risks, and the diseases themselves, overlap.

Heart attacks and strokes kill about 12 million people every year. 3.9 million people die annually from hypertensive and other heart conditions. An estimated 177 million people are affected by diabetes, the majority by type 2 diabetes. Two-thirds live in the developing world. More than one billion adults worldwide are overweight, and at least 300 million of these are clinically obese. Up to 80% of cases of coronary heart disease, 90% of type 2 diabetes cases, and one-third of cancers is because of unhealthy diet, less physical activity and smoking.

The Causes of Chronic 'Lifestyle Diseases'

People worldwide are consuming more foods that are energy-dense - high in sugar and/or saturated fats - or excessively salty. Nutrition transition and increasingly sedentary behaviour is occurring at a much faster pace in developing countries than was the case for developed. Chronic diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent in many of the poorest developing countries.

How to Overcome Chronic 'Lifestyle Diseases'

Established scientific evidence suggests there are major health benefits in:

Eating more fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and whole grains. Daily physical activity can also help reduce osteoporosis and falls among older people. Moving from saturated animal fats to unsaturated vegetable oil-based fats. Cutting the amount of fatty, salty and sugary foods in the diet. Maintaining a normal body weight. Stop smoking. Optimal and healthier diet is very important. Well established, daily moderate-intensity physical activity is an important determinant for good health because it helps lower blood pressure, reduces body fat and improves glucose metabolism.