2016 Articles

Non-Communicable Diseases, Food Systems and the Sustainable Development Goals

Fanzo, Jessica C.

During the era of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), along with overweight and obesity, increased among populations almost everywhere.

NCDs are currently the most common cause of death and disability worldwide, accounting for 68% of global mortality, or two out of every three deaths.

Connected with a rise in obesity and NCDs, we are facing an unprecedented change in demography, epidemiology and diets.

Diet is the number one risk factor for NCD-related morbidity and mortality.

The health and agriculture sectors have an essential role to play in the prevention and treatment of both communicable diseases and NCDs.

Food and health systems need to work synergistically to bring about effective change.

Creating innovative ways of acknowledging and identifying nutrition issues, providing and implementing comprehensive nutrition interventions, and delivering nutrition education for preventative purposes will also be essential in order to reverse NCD trends.