UNAIR NEWS – Nutritional Science Study Program, FKM (Faculty of Public Health), UNAIR invited a guest lecturer from the University of Malaya on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2023. The lecturer discussed the importance of providing nutrition for the community to avoid malnutrition and non-communicable diseases.
The event, which was held online via Zoom meeting, was entitled “Meeting the Learning Needs of Future Public Health Professionals with an Interest in Nutrition”. By presenting Dr Ng Ai Kah Senior Lecturer, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya as a speaker.
Non-communicable diseases
Dr Ng Ai Kah said non-communicable diseases are the main cause of 70% of global deaths. She compared the ratio of one to 40 million people.
“The average cause of death in the world is based on the same type of disease, but it is not classified as an infectious disease. The mortality rate is quite high compared to other diseases,” she explained.
According to Dr Ng Ai Kah, non-communicable diseases with potential for mortality include an increase in the prevalence of obesity, unhealthy diets, and malnutrition. She said that these three diseases affect nutrition in the body to be unbalanced.
“Currently every country in the world has problems with malnutrition and non-communicable diseases. This situation affects a person’s body condition,” she said.
Dr Ng Ai Kah then explained about global efforts to promote the prevention and control of NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases). According to her, there have been international declarations inviting many people to be aware of the body’s nutritional needs.
“In 2013 WHO planned global action for the prevention and control of NCDs. Then the following year Rome declaration materialized into concrete steps on nutrition. And the UN declare its decade of action on nutrition 2016-2025,” she said.
Risk Control
Dr Ng Ai Kah stated that there is a need to change people’s behavior by controlling the risk of NCDs. Through a lot of research discussing this problem, she added, that prevention efforts must be actualized in everyday life.
“In one day the body needs protein with high biological value and balanced carbohydrates from sugar and fiber. Controlling a diet like that helps control the risk of diseases that cause death,” she concluded.
Author: Iratri Puspita
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
