Human Health and Nutrition

First Epidemiological Transition

Transition from foraging to food production

• Increase in dental caries

• Nutritional deficiencies

• Infectious diseases

• Skeletal conditions of repetitive motions

• Decrease in growth and height

Second Epidemiological Transition

Post-industrial revolution era

• Improved standard of living, hygiene, and nutrition

• Higher rates of non-communicable diseases (chronic)

Third Epidemiological Transition

Shift direct result of human interactions with environment

• Chronic inflammatory diseases → allergies, autoimmune

• Decrease in 2nd transition diseases

Hygiene Hypothesis

Rise in CID is result of limited exposure to non-lethal pathogens early

Fourth Epidemiological Transition

Some parts of the world

• Triple burden → infectious, chronic, and injuries

Related to intensifying globalization, urbanization, deforestation, and climate change

Pakistan

2022 flooding

Infrastructure destroyed

Leading cause of death are diseases

Obesity

More people live past childhood and have enough to eat

Major contributor is increase in energy intake without expelling

Island of Nauru in Micronesia

Geographically isolated and food supply unpredictable

Genotype promoted rapid weight gain

Epigenetic Pregnancy

Calorie deficient pregnancy often result in babies that retain more fat

Placenta infers environmental conditions outside

Cardiovascular Disease

Leading cause of death globally

High saturated fats and cholesterol → plaque formation in arteries

Excess salt → fluid retention

Cancer

Second leading cause of death

1/3 of those deaths linked to behavioural and dietary factors