A substantial proportion of deaths in the United States due to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes is associated with suboptimal diet, a new study suggests.
The largest number of diet-related cardiometabolic disease (CMD) deaths are related to high sodium intake, followed by low intake of nuts/seeds, high processed meats, low seafood omega-3 fats, low vegetables, low fruits, and high sugar-sweetened beverages, the researchers found.
"These results should help identify priorities, guide public health planning, and inform strategies to alter dietary habits and improve health," first author, Renata Micha, RD, PhD, assistant research professor, Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy in Boston, Massachusetts, told Medscape Medical News.
"Increased intakes of specific minimally processed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, vegetable oils, and decreased intakes of salt, processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages appear to be key relevant priorities for dietary and policy recommendations," she noted. "Future studies should evaluate the potential effects of specific interventions to address the diet-related cardiometabolic mortality and reduce disparities."
The study was published March 7 in JAMA and presented at the American Heart Association Epidemiology and Prevention – Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health (EPI-Lifestyle) 2017 Scientific Sessions.
The researchers used comparative risk assessment models, leveraging multiple data sources, including nationally representative data on population demographics, dietary habits, and mortality, to estimate the number and fraction of CMD deaths in the United States related to suboptimal diet.
