Poor diet is one of the leading contributing factors to death worldwide and in the US.
Poor nutrition is a major risk factor and the leading preventable cause of chronic disease in the US.
Sub optimal diet contributes to one in five deaths worldwide.
A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey attributes more than 80,000 new cancer cases to poor diet in the US.
Unhealthy diets are characterized by over consumption of ultra processed foods and sugary drinks, obesity, type two diabetes, and heart disease.
The Western pattern diet, which is typically eaten by Americans and is rich in red meat, dairy products, processed and artificially sweetened foods, and salt, with minimal intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, and whole grains,
This diet is increasingly being adopted by people in the developing world as they leave poverty.
It is generally considered unhealthy.
The Western pattern diet, which is typically eaten by Americans and is “rich in red meat, dairy products, processed and artificially sweetened foods, and salt, with minimal intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, and whole grains,”[41] is increasingly being adopted by people in the developing world as they leave poverty.
It is generally considered unhealthy.
An unhealthy diet is a major risk factor for a number of chronic diseases including: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, abnormal blood lipids, overweight/obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
A healthy diet helps children grow and develop properly and reduces their risk of chronic diseases, including obesity.
Adults who eat a healthy diet live longer and have a lower risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Healthy eating can help people with chronic diseases manage these conditions and prevent complications.
The WHO estimates that 2.7 million deaths each year are attributable to a diet low in fruit and vegetables.
Globally such diets are estimated to cause about 19% of gastrointestinal cancer, 31% of ischemic heart disease, and 11% of strokes, thus making it one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, and the 4th leading risk factor for any disease.
Breastfeeding is the ideal source of nutrition for infants, only 1 in 4 is exclusively breastfed through 6 months of age as recommended.
Fewer than 1 in 10 adults and adolescents eat enough fruits and vegetables, and 9 in 10 Americans aged 2 years or older consume more than the recommended amount of
6 in 10 young people aged 2 to 19 years and 5 in 10 adults consume a sugary drink on a given day.
Processed foods and sugary drinks add unneeded sodium, saturated fats, and sugar to many diets, increasing the risk of chronic diseases.
Eating a healthy diet, along with getting enough physical activity and sleep, can helps children grow up healthy and prevents obesity.
19% of young people aged 2 to 19 years and 40% of adults have obesity.
Obesity costs the US health care system $147 billion a year.
Consuming too much sodium increases blood pressure and the risk for heart disease and stroke.
Current guidelines recommend getting less than 2,300 mg a day, but Americans consume more than 3,400 mg a day on average.
Over 70% of the sodium that Americans eat comes from packaged, processed, store-bought, and restaurant foods.
The WHO suggests that insufficient vegetables and fruit is the cause of 2.8% of deaths worldwide.
Eating foods low in saturated fats and high in fiber and increasing access to low-sodium foods, along with regular physical activity, can help prevent high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure.
More than 1 in 3—have prediabetes, and more than 8 in 10 it is unknown to them.
Overweight and obesity are associated with at least 13 types of cancer, including endometrial, breast cancer in postmenopausal women, and colorectal cancer, accounting for up to 40% of all cancers diagnosed.
Low levels of iron during pregnancy and early childhood is associated with mental and behavioral delays in children.
Iodine levels must be adequate during pregnancy to help a growing baby have the best brain development possible.
In the United States: 3 in 4 infants are not exclusively breastfed for 6 months.
Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants.
Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of some short-term health conditions for infants and long-term health conditions for infants and mothers.
Reducing sodium intake to 2,300 mg a day could save 280,000 to 500,000 lives and nearly $100 billion in health care costs over the next 10 years.
Lifestyle changes can cut risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 58%, and 71% for those over 60.
The five most unhealthy foods:
1. Processed Foods: These include packaged snacks, fast food, sugary cereals, and pre-packaged meals, which are generally high in unhealthy fats, sodium, sugar, and artificial additives.
They lack essential nutrients and can contribute to weight gain, heart disease, and other health problems if consumed excessively.
2. Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: Soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, and other sugary beverages are high in calories and sugar.
Excessive consumption can lead to weight gain, diabetes, and dental issues.
3. Deep-Fried Foods: Foods that are deep-fried like French fries, fried chicken, and doughnuts are high in unhealthy fats and calories.
They can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, and other health problems when consumed regularly.
4. Processed Meats: Deli meats, sausages, bacon, and hot dogs are often high in sodium, saturated fats, and additives.
Regular consumption of processed meats has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and other health issues.
5. Trans Fats: Foods containing partially hydrogenated oils, such as margarine, some baked goods, and fried foods, are high in trans fats.
Trans fats can increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and inflammation, contributing to heart disease and other health problems.