Lifestyle Changes
Non-Communicable diseases and its major ingredient have been referred to, by scholars as diseases of modernity, civilisation or affluences [27,28]. The quest for modernity or civilisation or better still affluence in Africa and the developing world has been associated with significant economic growth and development in the past 50years. This has impacted positively in improving the GNI per capita, reducing poverty and under-nutrition [15]. Unintentionally, these changes have led to rural-urban migration [15], as young people are more inclined to undertaking service-based (white-collar) jobs deserting agrarian life. Consequently, they become sedentary (physical inactivity) and adopt western lifestyles which are associated with significant risky health behaviours (chronic disease risk factors). Such unhealthy lifestyles and behaviours include smoking and tobacco use, increased and/or excessive alcohol consumption, increased consumption of highly processed fatty, salted food or high energy drinks [2].
Arguably, the upsurge of tourism and trade liberalisation, increased investment and capital flow across the sub-region and globally, and increased access to education and international aids may have been responsible for the increasing urbanity and rural-urban migration in the Gambia and Africa in general. All these elements are entangled within the concepts of globalisation, which is being felt around the world. Furthermore, the globalisation of food and drink marketing as well as trade liberalisation is a major driver of the nutritional transition [10]. These food and drink items are relatively cheap and are low in fibre and micro nutrients [29]. Though not as cheap as obtained in developed world but are becoming more accessible and attractive to both urban and rural inhabitants in Africa.
This globalisation waves are not limited to food and drinks alone, the tobacco companies have moved production facilities from Europe and America to Africa (for growing and production) where governments are more receptive in view of the benefits from tax revenues and employment opportunities for indigenes, thereby inadvertently endangering the life of the populace. These governments and their institutions appear inexperienced, ill-equipped and poorly manned in dealing with the antics of these transnational companies as well as coping with health and economic implications of increased tobacco consumption at the population level. The tobacco companies have also been embarking on innovative and aggressive marketing, targeting the young people [30]. This development is increasing the consumption of tobacco in Africa and many other developing countries, which are a sharp contrast to the declining trends being observed in the developed nations [31]. Even though, there are legal restrictions for the use of tobacco in public places in many African countries, however these laws are not being enforced.
Lifestyle Changes
Non-Communicable diseases and its major ingredient have been referred to, by scholars as diseases of modernity, civilisation or affluences [27,28]. The quest for modernity or civilisation or better still affluence in Africa and the developing world has been associated with significant economic growth and development in the past 50years. This has impacted positively in improving the GNI per capita, reducing poverty and under-nutrition [15]. Unintentionally, these changes have led to rural-urban migration [15], as young people are more inclined to undertaking service-based (white-collar) jobs deserting agrarian life. Consequently, they become sedentary (physical inactivity) and adopt western lifestyles which are associated with significant risky health behaviours (chronic disease risk factors). Such unhealthy lifestyles and behaviours include smoking and tobacco use, increased and/or excessive alcohol consumption, increased consumption of highly processed fatty, salted food or high energy drinks [2].
Arguably, the upsurge of tourism and trade liberalisation, increased investment and capital flow across the sub-region and globally, and increased access to education and international aids may have been responsible for the increasing urbanity and rural-urban migration in the Gambia and Africa in general. All these elements are entangled within the concepts of globalisation, which is being felt around the world. Furthermore, the globalisation of food and drink marketing as well as trade liberalisation is a major driver of the nutritional transition [10]. These food and drink items are relatively cheap and are low in fibre and micro nutrients [29]. Though not as cheap as obtained in developed world but are becoming more accessible and attractive to both urban and rural inhabitants in Africa.
This globalisation waves are not limited to food and drinks alone, the tobacco companies have moved production facilities from Europe and America to Africa (for growing and production) where governments are more receptive in view of the benefits from tax revenues and employment opportunities for indigenes, thereby inadvertently endangering the life of the populace. These governments and their institutions appear inexperienced, ill-equipped and poorly manned in dealing with the antics of these transnational companies as well as coping with health and economic implications of increased tobacco consumption at the population level. The tobacco companies have also been embarking on innovative and aggressive marketing, targeting the young people [30]. This development is increasing the consumption of tobacco in Africa and many other developing countries, which are a sharp contrast to the declining trends being observed in the developed nations [31]. Even though, there are legal restrictions for the use of tobacco in public places in many African countries, however these laws are not being enforced.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..