F oods, diets and nutritional status are important determinants of non-communicable diseases (nCds) What we eat and our nutritional status can affect cardiovascular diseases, some types of cancer and diabetes (see page 2). Foods, diet and nutritional status, including overweight and obesity, are also associated with elevated blood pressure and blood cholesterol, and resistance to the action of insulin. These conditions are not only risk factors for NCDs, but major causes of illness themselves.