Abstract

Mortality rates among adults has been declining in most countries for decades. Lower rates of death from infectious diseases was the early driver of this improvement, but there have been subsequent declines in mortality from cardiovascular disease and some cancers. The hazardous effects of behavioral and dietary risk factors on non-communicable diseases and the metabolic and physiological conditions that mediate their effects, have been established in prospective cohort studies and randomized trials. This knowledge, together with data from risk-factor surveillance has helped to establish the mortality and disease burden attributable to these risk factors [1]. Recent reviews of the literature on nutrition and hospitalization in patients with non-communicable diseases have highlighted the relationship between obesity, socio-economic status, nutrition, morbidity and mortality, length of hospital stay and related costs.

Abbreviations: OB: Obesity; BMI: Body Mass Index; GNP: Gross National Product; ICUs: Intensive Care Units; MUST: Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, MNA: Mini Nutritional Assessment; SGA: Subjective Global Assessment