Nutrition Transition Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is the Nutrition Transition?
A shift in diet and lifestyle as societies modernize—moving from traditional high-fiber diets to processed, high-fat, high-sugar foods, and reduced physical activity.
What drives the Nutrition Transition?
Economic growth,
urbanization,
globalization of food markets,
technological changes in work and transport.
What are the 5 stages of Barry Popkin’s Nutrition Transition model?
- Hunter-Gatherer
- Famine
- Receding Famine
- Degenerative Disease
- Behavioral Change
What characterizes Stage 1 (Hunter-Gatherer)?
High physical activity and diets rich in fiber and low in fat.
What happens in Stage 2 (Famine)?
Food scarcity causes widespread undernutrition and hunger.
What defines Stage 3 (Receding Famine)?
Improved food access and public health reduce mortality and undernutrition.
What defines Stage 4 (Degenerative Disease)?
Diets high in fat,
sugar,
processed foods
sedentary lifestyles lead to obesity and non-communicable diseases.
What is Stage 5 (Behavioral Change)?
Populations begin adopting healthier diets and increasing physical activity in response to rising NCDs.
What stage are many LMICs currently in?
Stage 4 – Degenerative Disease – with rising obesity and NCDs alongside undernutrition.
What is the Double Burden of Malnutrition?
The coexistence of undernutrition (e.g. stunting) and overweight/obesity within the same population, community, or household.
What is the Triple Burden of Malnutrition?
Simultaneous presence of undernutrition,
micronutrient deficiencies,
overnutrition in a population.
How does urbanization contribute to the nutrition transition?
It increases access to cheap processed foods and promotes sedentary lifestyles due to changes in jobs, transport, and food availability.
What dietary changes are linked to urban lifestyles?
Higher intake of refined grains,
sugary drinks,
fried foods;
lower intake of fiber-rich traditional staples.
Why do rural-to-urban migrants often gain weight?
They adopt urban eating habits and become more sedentary, increasing obesity risk.
What are the health consequences of the nutrition transition?
Rising rates of NCDs like type 2 diabetes, CVD, and certain cancers—even in areas still affected by infectious diseases and undernutrition.
Why are LMIC healthcare systems struggling with the nutrition transition?
They face a dual burden of managing infectious diseases and increasing chronic NCDs with limited resources.
How can fiscal measures help curb poor diets?
Taxes on sugary drinks (e.g. Mexico’s soda tax)
subsidies for fruits/vegetables can influence consumer choices.
What is the goal of front-of-pack labelling?
To help consumers quickly identify healthier options using traffic-light labels or warning symbols.
How does marketing regulation help reduce obesity?
Restrictions on junk food advertising—especially to children—reduce exposure to unhealthy products.
How does urban planning support healthier lifestyles?
By creating parks, bike lanes, and improving access to healthy foods in low-income areas.
What role does public education play in addressing nutrition transition?
Campaigns promote traditional diets and exercise;
schools improve meals and teach nutrition to encourage healthy habits early.
What global framework addresses diet-related NCDs?
The WHO Global Action Plan for NCDs and
SDG Target 3.4 aim to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third.
What are ‘WHO Best Buys’?
Cost-effective policy options recommended by WHO to reduce diet-related NCDs, such as sugar taxes and food labelling.
