1. What are Non-Communicable Diseases ?
Noncommunicable diseases, commonly known as chronic or lifestyle-related diseases, include heart diseases and stroke, cancers, chronic lung diseases and diabetes.
2. What are the most common Non-Communicable Diseases ?
The four most common NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
3. What are the modifiable behavioral factors leading to the increased burden of noncommunicable diseases ?
The four common and modifiable risk factors that increase the chances of developing NCDs are; tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.
4. What are the Biological factors leading to be the increased burden of non-communicable diseases ?
High blood pressure or hypertension, overweight and obesity, raised cholesterol and raised blood glucose that result from the unhealthy behaviours are predictors of NCDs.
5. How many vegetables and fruits do we have to take per day ?
We should take five servings of fruits and vegetables per day (400 g of fruits and vegetables)
6. Is salt / sodium consumption unhealthy ?
Salt consumption within the recommended level is healthy, however, excessive salt consumption is unhealthy. It is linked to adverse health outcomes, such as the increased risk of hypertension (raised blood pressure), which in turn leads to stroke and heart disease.
7. Which foods are high in salt / sodium ?
In general, processed foods, such as ready meals, processed meats, cheese, pickles, salty snack foods, and instant noodles, are particularly high in salt. Salt is also added to food during cooking (bouillon and stock cubes) or at the table (soy sauce, fish sauce and table salt). Sodium is also contained in sodium glutamate, used as a food additive in many processed foods
8. What is the recommended level of salt intake ?
WHO recommends for adults a reduction in salt intake to less than 5g per person per day
9. How can individuals reduce their salt / sodium intake ?
Individuals can reduce their salt / sodium intake by :
- Not adding salt during the preparation of food;
- Adding herbs and condiments instead of salt;
- Not having a salt shaker on the table;
- Limiting the consumption of salty snacks;
- Choosing products with lower sodium content;
10. Is sugar consumption unhealthy ?
Excessive sugar consumption is a key factor in promoting overweight and obesity, tooth decay and diabetes. There is increasing concern that intake of free sugars increases overall energy intake and may reduce the intake of foods containing more nutritionally adequate calories, leading to an unhealthy diet, weight gain and increased risk of noncommunicable diseases.
11. Which foods are high in sugar ?
High levels of sugar are present in sugar-sweetened beverages, sugary snacks and sweets.
13. What is physical activity ?
Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Physical activity includes exercise, as well as other activities which involve bodily movement and are done as part of playing, working, active transportation, household chores and recreational activities.
14. What are WHO-recommended levels of physical activity ?
Adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week or do at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week or an equivalent combination of moderate - and vigorous-intensity activity. Children and youth should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. This can include play, games, sports, transportation, chores, recreation, physical education, or planned exercise, in the context of family, school, and community activities.
15. What are the benefits of daily physical activity ?
Being physically active is essential for good health throughout life. Regular and adequate levels of physical activity:
- Reduce the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer, depression and the risk of falls
- Improve bone and functional health
- Fundamental to energy balance and weight control
16. What is Body Mass Index (BMI) ?
BMI is the value you get when you divide your weight in Kg by square of your height in meters.
BMI= Weight (Kg)
Height2 (m)
18. What is the impact of tobacco use on health ?
Tobacco use has a deadly impact on health. There are at least 69 established cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke, and hundreds of recognized human toxins. Tobacco use is one of the main risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, lung diseases, and heart diseases.
19. What is passive or second hand smoking ?
Passive smoking is when someone breathes in the combination of Smoke exhaled by a smoker or smoke from the end of a burning cigarette or cigar.
20. Can Passive or second hand smoking harmful ?
Yes, it can increase the risk of lung cancers and premature mortality.
21. What is a Healthy life style center (HLC) ?
A health center situated in healthcare institutions (hospitals, MoH office) which have facilities to provide screening and health guidance to people above 35 years of age. You can go to HLC without any referral and get screen.
22. What are the services provided by HLCs ?
You will be screened for diabetes, hypertension, serum cholesterol and body mass index (BMI), risk of cardio vascular disease, cancer screening (Breast cancer, thyroid, oral) and respiratory disease. Health staff will educate you on weight reduction, physical activity and other health related topics.