The study conducted by authors G. K. Tolenova and E. A. Niyazbekova focused on analyzing the dietary habits of the country's population and their impact on the level of non-communicable diseases. The work utilized data from both international and national studies.
According to the findings, nutrition plays a key role in the emergence of non-communicable diseases, which rank among the leading causes of mortality and disability in Kyrgyzstan. Such diseases include cardiovascular disorders, type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and certain types of cancer.
Among the most serious issues is the excessive consumption of salt, sugar, saturated and trans fats, as well as ultra-processed foods. At the same time, many people experience a deficiency of vegetables, fruits, dietary fibers, and essential vitamins.
This article also discusses the mechanisms through which nutrition affects health. These include chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, which can contribute to the development of chronic diseases.
The results of national studies, such as STEPS (2019), COSI (2021–2023), and FEEDCities (2021), confirm the negative trends in the dietary behavior of the population of Kyrgyzstan, the authors note.
In their opinion, creating a healthy food environment and changing dietary habits should become top priorities of state policy in public health. Implementing cross-sectoral measures and recommendations from international organizations can help reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and improve the quality of life of the population.
The photo on the main page is illustrative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqiSVRcdT0k.
