Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases : report of a joint WHO/FAO expert consultation

This consultation followed up the work of a WHO study group on diet, nutrition and prevention of non-communicable diseases, which met in 1989 to make recommendations regarding the prevention of chronic diseases and the reduction of their impact. The consultation recognised that the growing epidemic of chronic disease, afflicting both developed and developing countries, relates to dietary and lifestyle changes. This document reviews the considerable scientific progress that has been made in different chronic non-communicable diseases including obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and some types of cancer