Non-communicable diseases top killers in South-East Asia: WHO

Context:

  • According to WHO, Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)- mainly cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer — continue to be the top killers in the South-East Asia Region.

About the Report

  • The four ‘major’ NCDs are caused, to a large extent, by four modifiable behavioural risk factors:
    (a) tobacco use
    (b) unhealthy diet
    (c) insufficient physical activity
    (d) harmful use of alcohol
  • Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, are collectively responsible for over 70% of all deaths worldwide, or 41 million people.
  • These include 15 million people dying prematurely, aged between 30 and 69.

How this be reduced?

  • A study conducted worldwide has noted that consuming fibre and whole grains can reduce health risks from non-communicable diseases such as heart disease.
  • The eating fibre-rich foods reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer by 16% to 24%.
  • Higher fibre intake is also associated with lower body weight, systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol when compared with lower intake.

Source:TH

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