FAO Liaison Office in New York

01/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/21/2025 15:48

Thematic Dialogue Series on Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health: Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Noncommunicable Diseases and Promotion of Mental Health

Thematic Dialogue Series on Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health: Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Noncommunicable Diseases and Promotion of Mental Health

Lucas Tavares, Senior Liaison Officer, FAO Liaison Office of the United Nations in New York

21/01/2025

As prepared for delivery:

Thank you to the UN Foundation and WHO for organizing this series and to all our speakers for sharing their insights.

I want to use these brief remarks to speak of prevention and unhealthy diets, which are a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Three of the top 15 risk factors for early death in 2021 were high sodium intake, low fruit intake, and low whole grain intake. In fact, in 2021, unhealthy diets contributed to 10% of all deaths, with 30% of cardiovascular disease deaths attributed to them.

On the flip side, healthier diets significantly reduce the risk of diet-related NCDs. A FAO/WHO Joint Statement released last October outlines the four principles of what constitutes a healthy diet: diversity, balanced energy intake, nutrient adequacy, and moderation of high-energy, low-nutrition foods-often those high in fats, sugars, and salt.

The upcoming high-level meeting and its Political Declaration present a great opportunity to emphasize healthy diets as a way to prevent NCDs.

While every country will need its own tailored solutions, FAO's experience shows that we can promote healthy diets through several actions, including integrating nutrition into health and development policies, supporting healthy consumer food choices, tackling unhealthy food marketing, promoting school nutrition education, and making fruits, vegetables, and whole grains more affordable and accessible to all.

Thanks for your attention, and I look forward to continuing engaging with you on this topic.