𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀: 𝗔 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for around 71% of all deaths worldwide. These diseases include diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic respiratory conditions. This works out to almost 41 million fatalities annually, of which 15 million are preventable deaths that happen between the ages of 30 and 69. Lifestyle decisions such as substance misuse, inactivity, and poor eating are responsible for a significant number of these deaths.

𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀:

Obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and several cancers are strongly associated with unhealthy eating habits, which are defined by consuming an excessive amount of carbohydrates, fats, and processed foods. Dietary hazards are one of the main causes of early death and disability, accounting for 11 million deaths globally, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study.

𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆:

Physical inactivity has become a prevalent problem in a world that is becoming more and more digital and computerized. According to WHO estimates, one in four persons do not get enough exercise, which increases their risk of developing chronic illnesses. A significant risk factor for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some malignancies is physical inactivity. According to a 2018 report by the Global Observatory for Physical Activity, over 1.4 billion adults globally do not engage in the recommended amounts of physical activity.

𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲: 𝗔𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:

Another major risk factor is tobacco use, which the WHO reports is responsible for nearly 8 million deaths annually, mostly from lung and cardiovascular diseases as well as other malignancies. Every year, alcohol misuse results in 3 million fatalities from liver disorders, malignancies, and accidents brought on by poor judgment. Smoking and binge drinking have long-term consequences that compound, making them especially sneaky contributors to long-term health hazards.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀:

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀: Poor lifestyle choices have far-reaching consequences, as demonstrated by several studies. According to thorough research conducted by the American Heart Association in 2020, people who maintain healthy habits—such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and giving up smoking and excessive drinking have a significantly lower chance of developing chronic diseases and can anticipate living for almost ten years longer than people who lead unhealthy lifestyle choices. Bangladesh's position is consistent with worldwide patterns. According to the Bangladesh Health Watch Report back in 2016, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now cause over 67% of all fatalities in the nation, which is a substantial change from previous decades when infectious diseases were the main cause of mortality. NCD rates are rising as a result of sedentary lifestyles, urbanization, and the expansion of processed food options. For instance, a 2019 study by the Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences revealed a significant rise in the percentage of overweight or obese people in Bangladesh more than 25% compared to prior years. The United States and other wealthy nations are witnessing comparable developments worldwide. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60% of adult Americans have at least one chronic illness, many of which have a clear correlation to unhealthy lifestyle choices. Rapid urbanization and industrialization in nations like Bangladesh have led to a rise in processed and fast food consumption. According to a 2019 report released by the International Diabetes Federation, there are an estimated 8.4 million people with diabetes in Bangladesh. If current trends continue, that number will rise to 16.8 million by 2045.

Particularly, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is associated with dietary variables, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity—choices that can be avoided but are currently widely adopted. (United Nations, 2024).

𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱: Health issues related to lifestyle are becoming more common in other regions of the world. For instance, obesity and malnutrition are two problems that India is dealing with simultaneously. In the National Family Health Survey back in 2015–16, over 23% of Indian males and 20% of Indian women between the ages of 15 and 49 were obese or overweight. Because of the widespread adoption of a Western diet heavy in processed foods, fats, and refined sugars, this number has dramatically increased. Similarly, fast urbanization, changing eating habits, and decreased physical activity are contributing to an increase in obesity prevalence in African countries.

𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: heart disease continues to be the major cause of mortality in industrialized nations like the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, with around 16 million Americans suffering from smoking-related illnesses. In a similar vein, the broad availability of alcohol and cultural drinking practices have been linked to an increase in liver disorders caused by alcohol in European nations like France and Germany.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

Governmental, social, and individual action are all necessary to significantly lower the long-term health risks linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices. Several tactics can be used to counteract the increasing prevalence of diseases linked to lifestyle.

Public Health Education and Campaigns: To increase public knowledge of the risks associated with unhealthy lifestyle choices, governments, and health organizations should launch extensive public health campaigns. People can be guided towards making better decisions by programs that emphasize the dangers of smoking, binge drinking, and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine. For instance, the Ministry of Health in Bangladesh has been promoting physical exercise and lowering the consumption of unhealthy fast food through advertising. (Peregian family Medical Centre, 2021).

𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Taxes on tobacco products and sugary drinks, as they are in the UK and Mexico, can help lower usage and enhance public health results. Enacting laws that support the availability of healthful food options in offices and schools might also be beneficial. Bangladesh has reduced smoking rates, albeit slightly, because to the implementation of tobacco control regulations that forbid smoking in public areas and raise charges on tobacco products.

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺: To effectively treat chronic illnesses linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices, every countries must fortify its healthcare systems. This includes early detection programs, health care subsidies, and campaigns that promote healthy lifestyle choices like routine checkups. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are essential in Bangladesh because they help underprivileged populations fight NCDs by offering health services and education. (Heart & Stroke, 2024).

𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Creating public areas like parks and walking paths can help counteract the negative impacts of sedentary lifestyles. To lower the intake of processed and junk food, schools and businesses should also provide healthy food options.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻:

The global burden of non-communicable illnesses is rising as a result of the long-term health hazards associated with improper diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol misuse. Reducing these risks has become a public health priority since every year millions of people worldwide pass away from illnesses that may have been prevented. Lifestyle-related disorders are becoming more common in Bangladesh and many other regions of the world as a result of increasing urbanization, shifting food preferences, and decreased physical activity. A mix of governmental adjustments, healthcare reforms, and public health initiatives are required to reduce these hazards. Together, communities, governments, and individuals must embrace healthier lifestyles and lower the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We can greatly lower the long-term health risks associated with unhealthy lifestyle choices and enhance the standard of living for future generations by making educated decisions and creating circumstances that support healthy living.

Written By:

𝐇.𝐌. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐫 𝐍 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐦

Campus Ambassador, BIIHR