Dietary and Other Lifestyle Factors and Their Influence on Non-communicable Diseases in the Western Pacific Region

Overview

Journal Lancet Reg Health West Pac

Date 2024 Mar 8

PMID 38456094

Authors

Xiaomin Sun

Dong Keon Yon

Tuan Thanh Nguyen

Kumpei Tanisawa

Kumhee Son

Ling Zhang

Jing Shu

Wen Peng

Yuexin Yang

Francesco Branca

Mark L Wahlqvist

Hyunjung Lim

Youfa Wang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The Western Pacific region is a diverse region experiencing fast economic growth and nutrition transition. We systematically examined 94 cohort studies on the associations of dietary and other lifestyle factors on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region. These studies were mainly from China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore. Patterns and changes in lifestyle risk factors for NCDs based on national surveys were examined. They showed some dietary intake improvements over the past three decades, featured as increased consumption of unsaturated oils, fruits, and vegetables, and decreased consumption of sodium and unhealthy fat. Despite a decrease in smoking rate and salt intake, the values remained higher than the global levels in 2019. The ultra-processed food intake in the region increased at a higher rate than the global estimate. National guidelines relevant to NCDs in five selected countries were highlighted. Strong future actions and policies are needed to tackle NCDs.

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