Nutrition Transition
Encyclopedia
Increased consumption of unhealthy foods compounded with increased prevalence of overweight in middle-to-low-income countries is typically referred to as the “Nutrition Transition.” It occurs in conjunction to the Epidemiological Transition
and has serious implications in terms of public health outcomes, risk factors, economic growth and international nutrition policy. Nutrition transition is malnutrition ensuing not merely from a need for food, but the need for high-quality nourishment. Foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains have been substituted by foods heavy in added sugar
, saturated fat
, and sodium
. This trend, which began in developed, industrialized countries, has spread to developing countries. These developing countries still stressed and struggling with hunger are now dealing with health problems associated with obesity
. Malnutrition
once identified by emaciated bodies, is now also associated with obesity.
than in rural
ones. As countries develop, becoming more industrialized, cities arise. Cities offer more imported foods from industrialized countries. Along with more choices come a variety of food, many with high-fat content. More women are working out of the home in cities, and have less time for growing produce, shopping for ingredients, and preparing the often energy-intensive staples of traditional diets. Fufu
, for example, a staple of West and Central African diets, takes hours of laborious work to prepare. This combined with the fewer calories burnt in urban jobs than in rural toil, and more sedentary time and the abundance marketing of processed foods that accompanies available televisions, obesity is advancing more rapidly in developing countries' cities than in rural areas.
and various nutrients, absence of added sugar measurement, or lack of measurement of the food as processed. For example, in urban areas of China, a study of the same recipe containing pork and egg showed that there was a noticeable increase in the amount of pork and egg in the dish from 1997 to 2000. In the recipe, the amount of pork increased by 9.7 grams and the amount of egg increased by 2 grams in those three years.
and India
is the lowest. This overall increase is of concern to health professionals because childhood obesity is likely the precursor to a rise in cases of pediatric metabolic syndrome
. Metabolic syndrome, more commonly referred to as insulin
resistance, often leads to many chronic diseases. The concern is that this rise in pediatric metabolic syndrome will probably create a huge public health and socioeconomic burden for developing countries in the future as childhood obesity regularly precedes hyperinsulinemic state. Due to few studies of childhood obesity in emerging markets, little is known on the topic. Findings do show that the increased consumption of white flour products and solid hydrogenated fat leads to an increased rate of metabolic syndrome in children in developing countries while increased physical activity leads to its decrease.
's health implications are deadly; they include increased prevalence of diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Subsequent population level economic impacts are equally serious, most notably lost productivity and significant strain on health care systems.
The obesity spotlight has, until recently, focused almost exclusively on prevalence in the developed world. But in the last few years, rising rates of obesity in developing countries have raised apprehension among researchers, policy-makers and public-health practitioners alike. Rapidly transitioning countries, often referred to as emerging markets
, are of particular concern. This is because these countries are experiencing very high rates of economic development
and the trend toward increased prevalence of overweight is now occurring most rapidly in conjunction to accelerated economic growth. Citizens of these emerging market countries (e.g. Brazil
, China
, India
and Mexico
) have more disposable income than ever before, and they are spending it on foods that are often highly processed and unhealthy. This trend is compounded by the fact that many transnational food companies (e.g. Kentucky Fried Chicken, Nestle, and McDonalds) have launched aggressive marketing campaigns to penetrate consumer bases in these nations, precisely because of increased disposable income. Processed foods high in fat, sugar and sodium and low in vitamins, fiber and other nutrients (foods of minimal nutritional value or “FMNVs”) are increasingly ubiquitous in many middle-to-low-income countries.
and parasitic disease
(e.g. malaria
, measles
, respiratory infections, diarrheal disease) decreases and prevalence of non-communicable disease (e.g. diabetes, stroke
, coronary heart disease
, renal disease) increases. This pattern is paralleled by the nutrition transition. Infectious and parasitic diseases are very often predicated and/or exacerbated by macro and micro-nutrient
deficiencies. Conversely, non-communicable disease is closely linked to overweight and consumption of foods that are high in saturated fat
, sodium
and cholesterol
.
Epidemiological transition
In demography and medical geography, epidemiological transition is a phase of development witnessed by a sudden and stark increase in population growth rates brought about by medical innovation in disease or sickness therapy and treatment, followed by a re-leveling of population growth from...
and has serious implications in terms of public health outcomes, risk factors, economic growth and international nutrition policy. Nutrition transition is malnutrition ensuing not merely from a need for food, but the need for high-quality nourishment. Foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains have been substituted by foods heavy in added sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
, saturated fat
Saturated fat
Saturated fat is fat that consists of triglycerides containing only saturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between the individual carbon atoms of the fatty acid chain. That is, the chain of carbon atoms is fully "saturated" with hydrogen atoms...
, and sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...
. This trend, which began in developed, industrialized countries, has spread to developing countries. These developing countries still stressed and struggling with hunger are now dealing with health problems associated with obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
. Malnutrition
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the condition that results from taking an unbalanced diet in which certain nutrients are lacking, in excess , or in the wrong proportions....
once identified by emaciated bodies, is now also associated with obesity.
In Developing Countries
For developing countries, nutrition transition is a more advanced problem in urban areaUrban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
than in rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
ones. As countries develop, becoming more industrialized, cities arise. Cities offer more imported foods from industrialized countries. Along with more choices come a variety of food, many with high-fat content. More women are working out of the home in cities, and have less time for growing produce, shopping for ingredients, and preparing the often energy-intensive staples of traditional diets. Fufu
Fufu
Fufu, , is a staple snack of West and Central Africa. It is a thick paste usually made by boiling starchy root vegetables in water and pounding with a mortar and pestle until the desired consistency is reached...
, for example, a staple of West and Central African diets, takes hours of laborious work to prepare. This combined with the fewer calories burnt in urban jobs than in rural toil, and more sedentary time and the abundance marketing of processed foods that accompanies available televisions, obesity is advancing more rapidly in developing countries' cities than in rural areas.
Measurements and Dietary Changes
Issues common to wealthy and transitional countries include disaggregation of recipes and careful measurement of added oils and condiments. Yet problems unique to transitional countries deal with the measurement of ingredients used in food. Difficulties stem from incomplete measurement of fiberFiber
Fiber is a class of materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces, similar to lengths of thread.They are very important in the biology of both plants and animals, for holding tissues together....
and various nutrients, absence of added sugar measurement, or lack of measurement of the food as processed. For example, in urban areas of China, a study of the same recipe containing pork and egg showed that there was a noticeable increase in the amount of pork and egg in the dish from 1997 to 2000. In the recipe, the amount of pork increased by 9.7 grams and the amount of egg increased by 2 grams in those three years.
As a Cause of Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity in developing counties is also of concern. The largest concentration is in Middle Eastern and Eastern European developing countries, while the frequency of obesity in children in Sri LankaSri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
is the lowest. This overall increase is of concern to health professionals because childhood obesity is likely the precursor to a rise in cases of pediatric metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that, when occurring together, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects one in five people in the United States and prevalence increases with age...
. Metabolic syndrome, more commonly referred to as insulin
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone central to regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle....
resistance, often leads to many chronic diseases. The concern is that this rise in pediatric metabolic syndrome will probably create a huge public health and socioeconomic burden for developing countries in the future as childhood obesity regularly precedes hyperinsulinemic state. Due to few studies of childhood obesity in emerging markets, little is known on the topic. Findings do show that the increased consumption of white flour products and solid hydrogenated fat leads to an increased rate of metabolic syndrome in children in developing countries while increased physical activity leads to its decrease.
Emerging Markets and Nutritional Transition
ObesityObesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
's health implications are deadly; they include increased prevalence of diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Subsequent population level economic impacts are equally serious, most notably lost productivity and significant strain on health care systems.
The obesity spotlight has, until recently, focused almost exclusively on prevalence in the developed world. But in the last few years, rising rates of obesity in developing countries have raised apprehension among researchers, policy-makers and public-health practitioners alike. Rapidly transitioning countries, often referred to as emerging markets
Emerging markets
Emerging markets are nations with social or business activity in the process of rapid growth and industrialization. Based on data from 2006, there are around 28 emerging markets in the world . The economies of China and India are considered to be the largest...
, are of particular concern. This is because these countries are experiencing very high rates of economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
and the trend toward increased prevalence of overweight is now occurring most rapidly in conjunction to accelerated economic growth. Citizens of these emerging market countries (e.g. Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
) have more disposable income than ever before, and they are spending it on foods that are often highly processed and unhealthy. This trend is compounded by the fact that many transnational food companies (e.g. Kentucky Fried Chicken, Nestle, and McDonalds) have launched aggressive marketing campaigns to penetrate consumer bases in these nations, precisely because of increased disposable income. Processed foods high in fat, sugar and sodium and low in vitamins, fiber and other nutrients (foods of minimal nutritional value or “FMNVs”) are increasingly ubiquitous in many middle-to-low-income countries.
Nutrition Transition and Health Outcomes
Countries experiencing rapid economic growth typically undergo a period of epidemiological transition: prevalence of infectious diseaseInfectious disease
Infectious diseases, also known as communicable diseases, contagious diseases or transmissible diseases comprise clinically evident illness resulting from the infection, presence and growth of pathogenic biological agents in an individual host organism...
and parasitic disease
Parasitic disease
A parasitic disease is an infectious disease caused or transmitted by a parasite. Many parasites do not cause diseases. Parasitic diseases can affect practically all living organisms, including plants and mammals...
(e.g. malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
, measles
Measles
Measles, also known as rubeola or morbilli, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. Morbilliviruses, like other paramyxoviruses, are enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses...
, respiratory infections, diarrheal disease) decreases and prevalence of non-communicable disease (e.g. diabetes, stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
, coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease
Coronary artery disease is the end result of the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the coronary arteries that supply the myocardium with oxygen and nutrients. It is sometimes also called coronary heart disease...
, renal disease) increases. This pattern is paralleled by the nutrition transition. Infectious and parasitic diseases are very often predicated and/or exacerbated by macro and micro-nutrient
Nutrient
A nutrient is a chemical that an organism needs to live and grow or a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment. They are used to build and repair tissues, regulate body processes and are converted to and used as energy...
deficiencies. Conversely, non-communicable disease is closely linked to overweight and consumption of foods that are high in saturated fat
Saturated fat
Saturated fat is fat that consists of triglycerides containing only saturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between the individual carbon atoms of the fatty acid chain. That is, the chain of carbon atoms is fully "saturated" with hydrogen atoms...
, sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...
and cholesterol
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
.