Challenges and opportunities to tackle the rising prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases in Africa
| Autor: | Victor O. Owino |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Double burden Medicine (miscellaneous) HIV Infections 030209 endocrinology & metabolism Disease 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Environmental health Prevalence Humans Medicine Obesity 030212 general & internal medicine Noncommunicable Diseases Wasting Nutrition and Dietetics business.industry Malnutrition Infant Newborn Infant Feeding Behavior Overweight Non-communicable disease Risk factor (computing) medicine.disease Diet Child Preschool Africa Infant Care Body Composition medicine.symptom business |
| Zdroj: | Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 78:506-512 |
| ISSN: | 1475-2719 0029-6651 |
| DOI: | 10.1017/s0029665118002823 |
| Popis: | Africa is experiencing a sharp rise in non-communicable diseases (NCD) related to rapid globalisation and urbanisation leading to shifts in dietary and lifestyle patterns characterised by increased energy intake and physical inactivity. However, unlike more resource-endowed regions, Africa has a double burden of disease: NCD co-exist with infectious diseases including lower respiratory tract infections, HIV/AIDS and diarrhoeal diseases. The African economy is also relatively weaker, making it difficult to cope with this burden. It is postulated that NCD will soon overtake infectious diseases as the number one cause of death in the African region. The recognition of NCD as diseases and obesity as a related risk factor is weak in Africa, compounded by stigma associated with wasting in HIV/AIDS and obesity being perceived as a sign of wealth, achievement and care. There is also a dearth of data on overweight and obesity in the region and little knowledge that infant feeding practices, such as breast-feeding, are linked to reduced risk of NCD in both children and mothers. While complex multi-sectoral approaches to address this NCD menace are needed, Africa may benefit from taking simple initial steps to address NCD risk factors including: (1) behaviour change communication to challenge perceptions on NCD; (2) promoting and protecting breast-feeding; (3) formulating policies and regulations limiting wide availability of unhealthy foods; (4) mainstream nutrition education in school curricula and (5) collection of accurate data based on indicators that can reflect the double burden of disease and malnutrition; and fostering multi-sectoral actions against NCD. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|