Abstract
Where is Nepal in the Nutrition Transition?
Yagya Prasad Subedi1, Debbi Marais1, and David Newlands2
1 College of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Public Health Nutrition, yagya.subedi@abdn.ac.uk; debbi.marais@abdn.ac.uk
2 Department of Economics, University of Aberdeen, International Health Economics, d.newlands@abdn.ac.uk
Abstract
The patterns and trends of the Nutrition Transition in Nepal are unknown. This study aimed to identify where Nepal is in the nutrition transition. Time series data for 10 proxy variables of economic, demographic, dietary and epidemiological shifts were collected in five year intervals from 1970 to 2010 from government and global databases. The structure of the Nepalese economy is gradually shifting from an agricultural to a modern industrial economy. Urbanisation and per capita income have increased. Nepalese dietary patterns have changed with plant fat and sugar as the main contributors to an increased energy and saturated fat trend. Life expectancy has increased and mortality and fertility have decreased. The double burden of disease is evident with the prevalence of underweight and many communicable diseases decreasing, while the prevalence of overweight/obesity and other non-communicable diseases is increasing. In conclusion, Nepal is partially in the Stage 4 of the Nutrition Transition.
Yagya Prasad Subedi1, Debbi Marais1, and David Newlands2
1 College of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Public Health Nutrition, yagya.subedi@abdn.ac.uk; debbi.marais@abdn.ac.uk
2 Department of Economics, University of Aberdeen, International Health Economics, d.newlands@abdn.ac.uk
Abstract
The patterns and trends of the Nutrition Transition in Nepal are unknown. This study aimed to identify where Nepal is in the nutrition transition. Time series data for 10 proxy variables of economic, demographic, dietary and epidemiological shifts were collected in five year intervals from 1970 to 2010 from government and global databases. The structure of the Nepalese economy is gradually shifting from an agricultural to a modern industrial economy. Urbanisation and per capita income have increased. Nepalese dietary patterns have changed with plant fat and sugar as the main contributors to an increased energy and saturated fat trend. Life expectancy has increased and mortality and fertility have decreased. The double burden of disease is evident with the prevalence of underweight and many communicable diseases decreasing, while the prevalence of overweight/obesity and other non-communicable diseases is increasing. In conclusion, Nepal is partially in the Stage 4 of the Nutrition Transition.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 358-367 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 |
Keywords
- nutrition transition
- economic
- demographic
- epidemiology
- Nepal
