A poor diet kills 1 in 5 people worldwide – it's even worse than smoking

Having a poor diet is worse than lack of exercise, sleep deprivation and even smoking. According to a large study involving more than 130 scientists from 40 countries, a poor diet was responsible for 22% of all adult deaths in 2017.

"This study confirms what many have thought for years: a poor diet is responsible for more deaths than any other risk factor in the world," said Dr. Christopher Murray, lead author of the study, director of the Institute of Metrology and Health Assessment.

Poor diet is an "equal opportunity killer", researchers say

Diets high in sodium (too much salt) are badociated with most diet-related deaths, followed by a deficiency of whole grains and an insufficient intake of fruits, vegetables, fiber, nuts. and omega-3 from seafood. A poor diet resulted in 10.9 million deaths in 2017, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death, followed by cancer and diabetes.

The highest proportion of diet-related deaths occurred in Uzbekistan (892 dietary deaths per 100 000 population) and the lowest in Israel (89 dietary deaths per 100 000 population). The United States ranked 43rd on the list.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, countries that follow the Mediterranean diet – which emphasizes the consumption of fresh and whole foods – rank among the lowest in terms of diet-related deaths. For example, Israel, Spain and France have achieved good results in healthy eating.

The death rate per 100,000 population attributable to food in 2017. Photo: The Lancet.

After badyzing 15 dietary factors, the researchers found that most deaths related to food were usually is badociated with not eating enough healthy foods (whole grains, fruits, nuts and seeds) instead of eating too much unhealthy foods (trans fatty acids, sugary drinks and high levels of red meat and processed meat) .

"Although sodium, sugar and fat have been the subject of political debate over the last two decades, our badessment suggests that the main risk factors for diet are high sodium consumption or low consumption. and seeds and vegetables. The document also highlights the need for comprehensive interventions to promote the production, distribution and consumption of healthy foods in all countries, "Murray said.

A poor diet does not kill overnight, but rather slowly causes the collapse of a person's bodily functions. The same study found that poor dietary regimes were responsible for 255 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), the number of years living with a disability as a result of poor nutrition in populations studied. Overall, a poor diet is responsible for 16% of adult DALYs worldwide.

The authors recommend that people opt for a more balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, vegetable protein and whole grains, while reducing the consumption of sugary drinks, processed foods, red meat and high protein foods. sodium.

The results were reported in The lancet.