ABSTRACT
A critical examination of the principal causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide indicates that malnutrition and infectious diseases continue to be significant contributors to the health burden in the developing world. Although reduction in the prevalence of under-nutrition is evident in most parts of the developing world, the numbers of individuals affected remain much the same or have even increased, largely the result of increases in the population in these countries. What is striking, however, is that the health burden due to non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, is increasing dramatically in some of these developing countries with modest percapita GNPs, particularly those that appear to be in some stage of rapid developmental transition. It would appear that even modest increases in prosperity which accompany economic development seem to be associated with marked increases in the mortality and morbidity attributable to non-communicable diseases related to diet and nutrition. These dramatic changes in the disease burden of the population are probably mediated by changes in the dietary patterns and lifestyles which typify the acquisition of an urbanized and affluent lifestyle. Countries in rapid developmental transition, like China, India and Brazil, seem to bear a double burden of poverty and undernutrition, coupled with problems acquired due to urbanization and affluence.
