Diet, Nutrition and Cardiovascular Disease: The Role of Social Determinants

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) arethe leading cause of disability and mortality in India with ever increasing trends. The ubiquitous prevalence of CVD risk factors, despite some heterogeneity across different social strata, urban-rural locations and geographical regions, has been proven in several studies. Diet and nutrition have played a definitive role in this phenomenon. As India grapples with a dual burden of under-and over-nutrition, social factors at multiple levels such as individual's education and income, local food environment, migration and urbanization of populations, national agricultural produce and policies as well as global trade policies have complex relationships with diet as well as CVD. A deeper understanding of these factors is vital in designing public health interventions that are more targeted and relevant for the Indian population. Policy changes and community interventions based on societal needs may be necessary if we are to achieve the sustainable development goal targets by 2030, benefitting the larger population.