A Review on Diet, Non-Communicable Disease and Public Health Policy

Abstract: The global burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is escalating, primarily driven by the widespread adoption of modern, Westernized dietary patterns. This public health crisis places immense strain on both individual well-being and global healthcare systems. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the public health implications of the nutrition transition and outlines evidence-based policy interventions, including food reformulation, fiscal policies, and front-of-pack labelling, necessary to reshape food environments. Furthermore, it identifies critical research gaps, emphasizing the need for advanced dietary assessment methods, long-term intervention studies, and the integration of systems epidemiology to better understand diet-disease interactions. Ultimately, mitigating this epidemic requires a multifaceted approach that accounts for the socioeconomic and cultural determinants of diet to foster a healthier, sustainable future.

Keywords: Non-Communicable Diseases, Nutrition Transition, Public Health Policy, Systems Epidemiology, Dietary Assessment.