This week, according to a United Nations report, the earth’s population reached seven billion people. That's a milestone as we seek to share the planet’s environmental resources and compete for access to health care, education and economic advancement. The buildup has been paved with messages to conserve energy, recycle and be smarter with how we use land. In the food and health arena, future-focused topics include choosing sustainable methods of farming and fishing and taking care of our bodies so we don’t need as much costly health care to treat preventable diseases.
Global Lifestyle Problems
The 2011 United Nations General Assembly declared non-communicable diseases or NCDs as its top issue. This is only the second time the UN has named a global health issue as the top priority. The first time was a decade ago when the concern was HIV/AIDS. While hunger is still a serious global issue, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more people are overweight than underweight worldwide and two-thirds of the world’s deaths are attributed to diseases linked to tobacco use, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. According to the World Health Organization nearly 80 percent of NCD deaths (29 million) occur in low and middle-income populations. “NCDs are often misunderstood as diseases of affluence,” says Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the CDC, “But in fact they’re diseases of poverty.” Friedan identifies over consumption of cholesterol-raising trans fats, sodium and sugar sweetened beverages as the three key culprits in diet-related disease, “You don’t ‘catch’ these diseases.”
7 Food Habits to Help 7 Billion
B. Be mindful – don't over order. According to the Green Restaurant Association, 25 percent of food ordered by customers is wasted and thrown out.
I. Increase fruit and veggie consumption -- they're low in carbon footprint and high in health benefits to help prevent NCDs.
L. Learn new habits -- walk, take public transit, dine at a restaurant close to your home or office, or carpool when dining out.
L. Localize and recognize -- support local farmers, food producers and national food companies with sustainable practices such as using recyclable containers or organically grown ingredients.
I. Increase activity - enough said. Helps balance calories consumed, control weight and boost heart health.
O. Organize efforts -- support restaurants with recycling and other green practices.
N. No smoking – guess what? No matter how many salads you order or yogurts you eat, if you smoke cigarettes you won't significantly cut your risk of NCDs.
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