“Over 36 million people in the world die every year due to non-communicable diseases. The main causes for non-communicable diseases are un-healthy food habits, lack of exercises, smoking and intoxication”, said Dr. Palitha Maheepala, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health, addressing a media seminar on Healthy Food Habits recently. The Health Education Bureau organised the seminar.
“Over 36 million people in the world die every year due to non-communicable diseases. The main causes for non-communicable diseases are un-healthy food habits, lack of exercises, smoking and intoxication”, said Dr. Palitha Maheepala, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health, addressing a media seminar on Healthy Food Habits recently. The Health Education Bureau organised the seminar.
Around 30% of deaths that occur in Sri Lanka every year are due to cardio vascular diseases caused by hypertension, diabetes and cancer.
“Excess sodium intake causes hypertension - a major contributor to death, disability and costs attributable to cardiovascular diseases. Salt reduction is the most cost effective strategy to avoid such risks. Food such as French fries, dried fish, sauces and various soups containing a high percentage of salt which had been identified as high risk factors for cardio vascular diseases should be avoided”, said Dr. Virginie Mallawaraachchi of the NCD Unit of the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Renuka Jayatissa, Consultant Medical Nutritionist, pointed out the fact that the key factors leading to cardio vascular diseases could be eliminated by reducing the intake of salt and refraining from smoking as well as avoiding excessive liquor consumption.
She further said that high blood pressure was responsible for causing 62% of strokes and 49% of heart diseases in Sri Lanka. “One third of Sri Lankan population suffer from high blood pressure. We have to reduce salt intake by 40% over the next 5 years. Similarly most Sri Lankans get more than 15-20 teaspoons or 300-400 calories of added sugar a day. WHO recommends 10% of calories from free sugar? A sedentary female will need only six teaspoons and a male only nine teaspoons per day”, she said.
http://www.nation.lk/edition/index.php/todays-news/item/786-less-salt-and-sugar-for-better-health-%E2%80%93-dr-maheepala
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