A recent study published in The Lancet journal analyzed the health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries over the period of 1990 to 2023. The study revealed that unhealthy diets are the leading risk factor for death and disability worldwide.
The study analyzed 15 dietary risk factors, including diets low in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and diets high in sodium, sugar, and trans fat. It found that low intake of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and high intake of sodium, sugar, and trans fat were the leading dietary risk factors for death and disability worldwide.
The study found that diets low in whole grains and high in sodium were the leading dietary risk factors in the United States. In addition, diets low in fruits and high in sugar were also significant contributors to the burden of disease in the US.
The study also found that the burden of dietary risks has increased globally over the past 30 years, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This is due to a shift in dietary patterns towards processed and ultra-processed foods, which are high in sodium, sugar, and trans fat, and low in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
The health consequences of unhealthy diets are significant, with an estimated 11 million deaths and 255 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost worldwide in 2019 alone. The burden of disease attributable to dietary risks was highest in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The study highlights the urgent need for interventions to promote healthy diets and reduce the burden of dietary risks worldwide. These interventions could include policies to increase the availability and affordability of healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and to reduce the availability and affordability of unhealthy foods, such as those high in sodium, sugar, and trans fat.
Individuals can also take steps to improve their diets, such as reducing their intake of processed and ultra-processed foods, increasing their intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and reducing their intake of sodium, sugar, and trans fat.
In conclusion, the study demonstrates that unhealthy diets are the leading risk factor for death and disability worldwide, with low intake of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and high intake of sodium, sugar, and trans fat being the leading dietary risk factors. The findings highlight the urgent need for interventions to promote healthy diets and reduce the burden of dietary risks worldwide.
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