May 14, 2007

Life expectancy has increased dramatically in many countries in Asia, and is now approaching life expectancy in some of the most affluent parts of the world such as the US, Europe and Australia.  However, with the exception of Japan which has the highest life expectancy in the world, there are further gains in longevity to be made in the region. An even more important goal however, is to improve the quality of life in those additional years of old age.

In 2004, the World Health Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organisation adopted an international strategy to counteract the ever-rising impact of unhealthy lifestyle and diet on quality of life and life expectancy. It’s intention is to provide, evidence-based strategic guidance to nations and health agencies, researchers and practitioners on how to go about reversing the impact of disease such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, overweight and obesity and dental decay on health, wellbeing and economic prosperity. This global strategy is universally acknowledged to be both highly ambitious and absolutely essential.

But what does all this grand strategy and scientific expertise mean for the man, woman and child on the street?  Can individuals use this massive undertaking to improve their own personal health? The latest issue of Food Facts Asia provides some key insights on how individuals can use this internationally recognised science-based initiative to better inform and improve daily lifestyle and diet choices.

This issue of Food Facts Asia also carries an update on exactly what is known about communicating food-related risk information and how those responsible for informing the general public about potential or actual food-related health risk can do this to effectively and responsibly.

Also included in this issue of Food Facts Asia is a synopsis on calcium in the diet, why the body needs it, how much should be consumed and how to ensure sufficient consumption for optimal health. Calcium intake is traditionally lower in Asia than in many other parts of the world, and there are many compelling reasons to tackle this and improve calcium nutrition in Asia, particularly amongst children, women of child-bearing age and the elderly.

Copies of all these articles, as well as other nutrition and food safety information for the Asia region, can be found in English, Thai and Chinese on the AFIC website, www.afic.org, or by emailing info@afic.org.