The Choices We Make - Essay Example

Introduction Lifestyle choices people make play a significant role in determining their overall health condition. Today one’s lifestyle choices are cantered on day to day activities of expediency, and hence the importance of having a healthy diet is often neglected. The result is the alarming rise in obesogenic and chronic disease culture in the western society. Lifestyle and healthy behaviours are changing at a stunning speed today. Unhealthy lifestyle choices include improper diet, smoking, alcohol, inactivity etc. Certain biological factors like hypertension, obesity etc has resulted in the development of several lifestyle diseases that can significantly affect the health and quality of individual life. These risk factors which are common in most of the diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease etc must therefore be properly addressed in order to ensure better health. Healthier diet has a major role in preventing and treating several life-threatening chronic illness including cancer and diabetes. Thus changing the eating habits to saner ones, preferably traditional and less manufactured ones, is the easiest and surest way for combating lifestyle diseases. Incidence rates of lifestyle diseases in the last century The role of diet and nutrition in maintaining good health is a well established fact. Diet is the major determinant of chronic non communicable diseases (NCD’s), and has a prominent role in preventing such illnesses. For the last half century, there has been a steady increase in the rate of chronic lifestyle diseases like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases etc throughout the world (The Marshall Protocol Knowledge Base, n.d.). In the beginning of twentieth century, major cause of death worldwide was due to infectious diseases like tuberculosis, diarrhoea, and pneumonia. But since the later years of twentieth century, there has been a tremendous rise in morbidity and mortality due to lifestyle diseases like diabetes, cancer or heart disease (Ibid). These days life-threatening lifestyle illness has become a largest cause of death worldwide. In the year 2002, about 29 million deaths were reported worldwide due to these chronic non communicable diseases (Yach, Hawkes, et al, 2004). A study held in 2008 suggests that out of 57 million global deaths, 36 million deaths occurred owing to these chronic disorders (WHO, 2010). In contrast to the popular belief that these diseases affect developed population, studies prove that about 80% of NCD deaths occurred in low and middle income countries; and, it is estimated that rate of annual deaths due to such chronic illnesses is going to rise in the coming years and by year 2020, these diseases could account for three quarters of death worldwide (Ibid). Type II diabetes has become a common global health disorder affecting all economies worldwide. Due to unhealthy lifestyle habits and obesity, this health crisis is increasing at an alarming rate. The disease which was common in Western people and among the rich is now becoming common in every part of the world. This is equally affecting both rich and the poor and both adult and children. According to International diabetes federation, around 285 million people are affected by diabetes worldwide, and it is going to rise to 438 million by 2030 (Hu, 2008). Among this, around two third of diabetes incidences will be from developing countries. The global health expenditure for diabetes will also rise from $376 billion to $490 billion by the year 2030 (Ibid). In addition to diabetes, a condition called impaired glucose tolerance, which can pose risk of cardiovascular disorders, will also rise from 344 million to 472 million by 2030 (Ibid). Cancer, the disease characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cell is a major cause of death in developed countries and second major cause of death in developing countries (Sicree, Shaw, et al. n.d.). The studies from International Agency for Research on Cancer (2008) show that around 12.7 million new cases of cancer were reported worldwide in 2008, and the mortality rate of cancer was 7.6 million worldwide. By 2030, the global incidence of cancer will increase to 21.4 million with 13.2 million deaths occurring due to cancer (Ibid). The western countries have decreased the morbidity and mortality rates of cancer in recent years, but the future burden of cancer will rise in developing countries due to increased adoption of western lifestyle including poor diets, smoking, inactivity etc (Jemal & Center, et al, 2010). Change in lifestyle during the last century The cause behind increased incidence of obesity and related chronic illness can be attributed to modern unhealthy lifestyle. These lifestyle issues include poor nutrition, smoking, overweight, inactivity alcohol as well as some social, cultural, environmental or occupational factors or ‘anthropogens’ (Egger & Dixon, 2014). Nowadays, world is experiencing a dietary change towards diet that largely contains partially hydrogenated fats and reduced fibre. Moreover, activity patterns followed in work, leisure, travel or home are also shifting towards one which requires less energy (Popkin, 2006). This has resulted in nutritional transition which involves changes in nutritional outcomes of the body, and this has given way to rise of obesity and non communicable diseases in the last century (Ibid). Eating patterns throughout the world is characterized with extremely energy dense and processed foods. In developed countries, eating pattern shift involves increased away-from-home food intake, snacking, sweetened beverages etc. Lower income countries like Philippines also show the same eating pattern shift whereas it is less in countries like china and Russia. There is also a universal shift in the intake of high energy density food like animal source foods and edible oil, and in certain countries like china this shift is high. For instance, average adult intake of energy and fat in china was 15% in 1989 which rose to 44% in 2000 (Ibid). There is also an increased intake of caloric sweeteners. In United States, there is above 50 % increase in the intake of caloric sweeteners in the past few decades (Popkin, 2006). South Africa also has a shift towards varied range of foods that increases caloric sweetener intake. Intake of processes with reduced fibre take is a major concern in several countries. In several countries coarse grains, rich in fibre, are replaced by refined grains. Fruit and vegetable intake is also very less in several countries though Spain, Korea, and Greece are exceptions (Ibid). There is also much physical activity shift due to increased use of technology in work, home, and travel. Globalization, which has led to easier movement of capital, goods, services and technology, has also produced major lifestyle changes in diet and physical activity. Role of diet in managing lifestyle diseases The role of diet in managing lifestyle diseases has long been recognized by medical experts. Good health can be ensured by including appropriate items in one’s diet. One has to develop healthy nutritional habits since one’s childhood as this can help one to maintain health in adulthood as well. Sufficient intake of fruits, vegetables, and folic acid in diet can greatly reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disorders (Willett, Koplan, Nugent et al. 2006). Low folic acid intake has been found to be responsible for colon and breast cancer. It is also very important to consume cereals in their high fibre whole grain form. The fibre, vitamins, and minerals in whole grains can treat and prevent heart diseases and type II diabetes (Ibid). Excessive intake of refined starches can intensify metabolic syndrome, and is a major risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Food with high fibre is best to prevent constipation and obesity. Limiting the intake of sugar and sugar based beverages is essential for preventing obesity and diabetes. Limiting excess calorie food is vital for preventing obesity which is a major cause behind several chronic diseases. Limiting sodium intake is also important to manage blood pressure, which is a major risk factor of heart diseases. Type II diabetes can be successfully treated with healthy nutrition as this can keep blood glucose level normal. Incorporating Mediterranean diet which involves moderate intake of herbs, cereals, fruits, fish and legumes also will reduce diabetes (Polikandrioti & Dokoutsidou, 2009). Less intake of meat and wine, and the use of olive oil can be a good option to manage Type II diabetes. Healthy nutrition and regular exercise can significantly regulate blood glucose levels in diabetes patients (Ibid). Colorectal cancer which accounts for about 9 % of cancer incidence could be managed effectively with healthy food habits (Haggar & Boushey, 2009). Avoiding high fat food and meat consumption is important in preventing colorectal cancer. Including plenty of bright coloured vegetables and fruits and other high fibre foods can dilute faecal content and increase faecal bulk (Ibid). This will prevent the formation of carcinogens that leads to colorectal cancer. Conclusion In total, appropriate intake of healthy nutritious diet, regular physical activity, and maintaining healthy body weight can effectively manage most of the lifestyle diseases. As the lifestyle of people has greatly changed over the last century, the morbidity and mortality rates of these chronic diseases have also increased alarmingly. Unhealthy food intake trends could be addressed only by informing people about the importance of nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle. Repeated and intensive counselling also can bring positive results in this regard. References Egger, G & Dixon, J 2014. “Beyond Obesity and Lifestyle: A Review of 21st Century Chronic Disease Determinants”. BioMed Research International. [online] available at: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2014/731685/ [accessed 10 June 2014]. Hu, F. B. “Globalization of Diabetes The role of diet, lifestyle, and genes”. American Diabetes Association. 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