In 2017, one in five deaths, or 11 million, was linked to poor nutrition worldwide. A study based on 195 countries and published in The Lancet takes account of the impact on health of one unbalanced diet. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers and Type 2 diabetes were the leading causes of death.
The study highlights the deficiencies and excesses observed in the diet of the world’s population. Salt, sugar, sugary drinks and processed meat are overconsumed. Fruits and whole grains represent an insufficient part of the diet.
Of all 195 countries studied, Uzbekistan has the highest rate of diet-related deaths. At the other end of the ranking, Israel is the one with the lowest food-related death rate. The UK ranks 23rd, the US 43rd, China 140th and India 118th.
Comprehensive interventions for healthy eating
To reach these conclusions, the researchers analyzed the diets of 195 countries from 1990 to 2017. The impact of poor dietary habits on mortality and cancers, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes was also measured.
“This study confirms what many have believed for several years: poor diet is responsible for more deaths than any other risk factor in the world”, concludes Dr. Christopher Murray, author of the study, researcher at the University of Washington (USA).
For the author, these results underline the urgency of coordinating efforts between countries to “promote the production, distribution and consumption of healthy foods in all countries.”
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