Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally, responsible for about two-thirds of all annual fatalities, with cardiovascular diseases being the most significant contributors. Major risk factors include tobacco use, poor diet, lack of exercise, and alcohol misuse, leading to issues like high blood pressure and obesity. The WHO projects a 15% increase in global NCD-related deaths by 2020 and recommends measures such as reducing tobacco use and improving diets to combat these diseases.

1. NCDs
Exercise For Health.

2. Q: What are NCDs?

3. A: NCDs or “Non-Communicable
Diseases” are non-infectious diseases.
They are by far the leading cause of
death globally, making up around two-
thirds of all deaths annually.

4. Q: What are the main risk
factors for NCDs?

5. A: The most important risk factors for
NCDs are tobacco use, unhealthy diet,
insufficient physical activity, and the
harmful use of alcohol. These are
collectively called “lifestyle” factors.

6. Q: What are the
mechanisms by which the
risk factors lead to NCDs?

7. A: The risk factors lead to four adverse
changes: high blood pressure,
overweight and obesity, hyperglycemia,
and hyperlipidemia (including
hypercholesterolemia)

8. Q: Which NCDs are the
biggest causes of
mortality?

9. A: Cardiovascular diseases account for
most of the deaths resulting from
NCDs. After that, the top three
offenders are cancers, respiratory
diseases, and diabetes

10. Q: What is the forecast
for NCDs?

11. A: The WHO predict that annual global
deaths from NCDs will increase by 15%
between 2010 and 2020 (i.e. from 36m
to 44m deaths per year)

12. Q: What actions does the
WHO recommend to
combat NCDs?

13. A: The WHO recommend: reducing
tobacco use, improving unhealthy
diets, increasing physical activity, and
reducing the harmful use of alcohol

14. For more information:
www.exercise-for-health.com/non-communicable-diseases

15. Exercise For Health.