The nutrition transition to a stage of high obesity and noncommunicable disease prevalence dominated by ultra‐processed foods is not inevitable

Abstract

The Nutrition Transition model is presented with the nature and pace of change in key stages varying by location and subpopulations. At present, all high-income and many low-and middle-income countries are in a stage of the transition where nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension are dominating adult morbidity and mortality and are very high or growing rapidly in prevalence. Some countries still have key subpopulations facing hunger and undernutrition defined by stunting or extreme thinness among adults.We call these double burden of malnutrition countries. All low-and middle-income countries face rapid growth in consumption of ultra-processed food and beverages, but it is not inevitable that these countries will reach the same high levels of consumption seen in high-income countries, with all the negative impacts of this diet on health. With great political and civil society commitment to adoption of policies shown in other countries to have improved dietary choices and social norms around foods, we can arrest and even reverse the rapid shift to diets dominated by a stage of high ultra-processed food intake and increasing prevalence of nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases.

The nutrition transition, food retail transformations, and policy responses to overnutrition in the East Asia region: A descriptive review

“…sugar sweetened beverage taxation), unhealthy food and beverage marketing restrictions, FOPL, school food environment guidelines, and mass communications. [93][94][95][96][97] Where possible, these policies should be legislated and mandatory, rather than relying on voluntary adoption, which has shown to be largely ineffective. [173][174][175][176] Governments should also look to address the growing concern that are the commercial determinants of health.…”

“…92 The search was structured to specifically identify policies that have been recommended by international authoritative health bodies as necessary to address overweight, obesity and unhealthy diets among children and/or adults. [93][94][95][96][97] Policies that were eligible for inclusion were (i) unhealthy food and beverage marketing restrictions;…”

Relationship between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Risk of Diabetes Mellitus: A Mini-Review

“…UPFs are becoming more present in all food categories, even in infants', children's, and adolescents' diets [2]. This global phenomenon is accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of overweight/obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) [3]. More than 500 million adults aged 20-79 years live with diabetes worldwide; by 2030, this number will rise to more than 600 million and more than 700 million by 2045.…”

“…UPFs are products that have undergone a series of industrial processes, including physical, biological, or chemical processes, coupled with the use of additives such as colorings, emulsifiers, and preservatives [5][6][7]. A privilege of this industry is providing hyper-palatable products that are easy to advertise and can last on store shelves or kitchen cabinets as long as possible with the least amount of expense, therefore gaining maximum profits [3]. The rise in the consumption of UPFs, including "fast foods", "soft and sugary drinks", "processed meats", and other types of "ready-to-consume" foods, has been linked to the risk of obesity and many other NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and depression [8].…”

“…The rise in the consumption of UPFs, including "fast foods", "soft and sugary drinks", "processed meats", and other types of "ready-to-consume" foods, has been linked to the risk of obesity and many other NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and depression [8]. UPFs are characteristically poor in nutritional compounds and high in non-nutritive components [3,5,9]. In addition, the use of several additives may cause multiple health issues, and the packaging may also contain harmful substances [6].…”