Rethinking the "diseases of affluence" paradigm: global patterns of nutritional risks in relation to economic development.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cardiovascular diseases and their nutritional risk factors--including overweight and obesity, elevated blood pressure, and cholesterol--are among the leading causes of global mortality and morbidity, and have been predicted to rise with economic development.

Methods and findings

We examined age-standardized mean population levels of body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol in relation to national income, food share of household expenditure, and urbanization in a cross-country analysis. Data were from a total of over 100 countries and were obtained from systematic reviews of published literature, and from national and international health agencies. BMI and cholesterol increased rapidly in relation to national income, then flattened, and

SUBMITTER: Ezzati M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1088287 | biostudies-literature | 2005 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature