The findings of a major global study published today reports that poor diet choices are linked to the deaths of one in five people. The study is part of the Global Burden of Disease report which examined global mortality rates based on the input of 2,500 experts.
The reasons highlighted in the report by researchers at the University of Washington were due to the consumption of too much saturated fat and salt in diets and not enough vegetables, whole grains, fruit, nuts, seeds and omega-3.
The findings have led researchers to conclude that there are two extremes, firstly there is inadequate nutrition in poor communities and secondly rich populations who are eating unhealthily. This combination is responsible for the death of a fifth of the population.
The researchers said, “Among all forms of malnutrition, poor dietary habits – particularly low intake of healthy foods – is the leading risk factor for mortality.”
The report also highlighted that one in seven people globally (1.1 billion) live with mental health substance use disorders.
One of the top ten causes of ill health was major depression in 191 of the 195 countries looked at.
There is a global problem of under-funding for mental health services in many countries especially in the developing world.
Research has shown that just 6 per cent of people in China living with mental health issues including dementia and substance abuse get help from a doctor. This isn’t surprising when less than one per cent of China’s healthcare budget is spent on mental health.
In 2016 there were 2.6 million people globally who suffered from Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. This is a rise of 40% from the previous ten years.
In addition to the above alcohol and drug use was responsible for 320,000 deaths. This includes opioid related deaths which is at epidemic levels in the USA.
Further deaths, 150,000, were caused by terrorism and conflict especially in areas such as the Middle East and north Africa this is a significant increase from the previous ten years.
Several countries saw a better than expected health performance, these included Portugal, Peru, Niger, Nepal, the Maldives and Ethiopia. Part of the progress in health performance stemmed from effective antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS.
