Nutrition and Health

Archive for July 1st, 2010

Rapid changes in diets and lifestyles have occurr ed with industrialization, urbanization, economic  development and mar ket globalization over the past few decades. This is havi ng a significant impact on the health and nutritional status of populations, particularly in developing countries and in countries i n transition such as Malaysia.

While standards of living have improved, food availability has expanded and become more diversified, and access to services has increased, there have also been significant negative consequences in terms of inappropriate dietary patterns, decreased physical activities and increased tobacco use, and a corresponding increase in diet-related chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension and stroke, and some types of cancer.  These diseases are becoming incr easingly significant causes of disability and premature death in this country.

This research group focuses on the role of nutrition in relation to chronic diseases especially diabetes mellitus type 2, cardiovascular disease and cancer.  Biochemical, clinical and community nutrition studies are presently ongoing and will continue to be conducted involving all three units in the department.