ABSTRACT
The current concerns in nutrition include not only undernutrition and its consequences but also many chronic diet related problems. Such disorders may have their origins in fetal (prenatal) and child malnutrition as well as intake of energy dense foods and physical inactivity in later life. The diet related chronic disorders are of global concern and contributing to rising health care costs [1]. In India, underweight and stunting due to number of macro and micronutrient deficiencies are common among children, adolescents and pregnant women [2]. These disordershave a cascading effect on diet related non-communicable diseases. In most nutrition circles, therefore, the need for a common agenda is often reiterated particularly in terms of lifestyle changes and physical activities to prevent disorders at both ends of the spectrum. Of this, diet, physical inactivity, personal risk behaviours are of prime importance [3]. The rising epidemic of obesity and insulin resistance, particularly in developing countries is the forerunner of almost all chronic non-communicable diseases and calls for an integrated package of interventions [4]. The metabolic programming of undernutrition in utero directly influences the development of diseases such as diabetes,
coronary artery disease, hypertension, stroke and cancer [5]. Intrauterine undernutrition permanently alters structure, physiology, metabolism and function leading to enhanced risk of chronic non-communicable diseases in later life. The ageing phenomena as well as ailments such as arthritis, gallstones and cataract are also related to obesity and dietary intake of nutrients and phytonutrients. In fact, the origins of most of these disorders may be related to our genes as they are programmed to palaeolithic/hungergather society diets and activity patterns. The current diets and activities are not matched to our genes.
