Age-Related Disease Burden in China, 1997-2017: Findings From the Global Burden of Disease Study

The association between sleep duration, bedtime, and cognitive ability in Chinese adults: Evidence from the China family panel studies

Introduction

Dementia is marked by a steady decline or worsening in cognitive abilities, affecting memory, logic, and social competencies. While many studies suggest a potential link between the amount of sleep and dementia risk, the outcomes are not yet consistent. This research delved into the relationship between sleep length and bedtime on cognitive abilities using an extensive dataset from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from 2014 to 2020.

Methods

Data from 175,702 observations were collected, including cognitive function test data from 22,848 participants. Various cognitive tests were used to assess cognitive function. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used for data analysis.

Results

The optimal sleep duration for cognitive function was found to be 6-7 h, and the optimal bedtime was generally between 22:00-23:00. Longitudinal analysis revealed that sleep duration four years prior had a significant impact on current cognitive function. After accounting for various factors, those who slept for 7-8 h and over 8 h displayed lower cognitive function scores. Conversely, individuals sleeping less than 6 h had higher scores on the Vocabulary Test. Bedtime before 22:00 was associated with lower scores on the Vocabulary Test and Mathematical Test. Subgroup analyses based on age, gender, and urban residence showed variations in optimal sleep duration for different populations. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) analysis supported the findings.

Conclusions

Maintaining a sleep duration of 6-7 h and a regular bedtime between 22:00-23:00 is important for optimizing cognitive performance.

Cohort profile: Beijing Healthy Aging Cohort Study (BHACS)

The Beijing Healthy Aging Cohort Study (BHACS) was established to supplement the limited data of a large representative cohort of older people based on the general population and was designed to evaluate the prevalence, incidence, and natural history of cognitive decline, functional disability, and conventional vascular risk factors. The aim was to determine the evolution of these conditions by estimating the rates and determinants of progression and regression to adverse outcomes, including dementia, cardiovascular events, cancer, and all-cause death. It can therefore provide evidence to help policy makers develop better policies to promote healthy aging in China. BHACS consisted of three cohorts (BLSA, CCHS-Beijing, and BECHCS) in Beijing with a total population of 11 235 (6281 in urban and 4954 in rural areas) and an age range of 55 years or older (55-101 years) with a mean age of 70.35 ± 7.71 years (70.69 ± 7.62 years in urban and 69.92 ± 7.80 years in rural areas). BHACS-BLSA conducted the baseline survey in 2009 with a multistage stratification-random clustering procedure for people aged 55 years or older; BHACS-CCHS-Beijing conducted the baseline survey in 2013-2015 with a stratified multistage cluster random sampling method for people aged 55 years or older; and BHACS-BECHCS conducted the baseline survey in 2010-2014 with two-stage cluster random sampling method for people aged 60 years or older. Data were collected through questionnaires, physical measurements, and laboratory analyses. Topics covered by BHACS include a wide range of physical and mental health indicators, lifestyles and personal, family, and socio-economic determinants of health. There are no immediate plans to make the cohort data freely available to the public, but specific proposals for further collaboration are welcome. For further information and collaboration, please contact the corresponding author Yao He (e-mail: yhe301@x263.net).

C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 5 (CCL5) Promotes Irradiation-Evoked Osteoclastogenesis

The imbalance that occurs in bone remodeling induced by irradiation (IR) is the disruption of the balance between bone formation and bone resorption. In this study, primary osteocytes (OCYs) of femoral and tibial origin were cultured and irradiated. It was observed that irradiated OCY showed extensive DNA damage, which led to the initiation of a typical phenotype of cellular senescence, including the secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), especially the C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5). In order to explore the regulation of osteoclastogenic potential by IR-induced senescent OCYs exocytosis factor CCL5, the conditioned medium (CM) of OCYs was co-cultured with RAW264.7 precursor cells. It was observed that in the irradiated OCY co-cultured group, the migration potential increased compared with the vehicle culture group, accompanied by an enhancement of typical mature OCs; the expression of the specific function of enzyme tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) increased; and the bone-destructive function was enhanced. However, a neutralizing antibody to CCL5 could reverse the extra-activation of osteoclastogenesis. Accordingly, the overexpression of p-STAT3 in irradiated OCY was accompanied by CCL5. It was concluded that CCL5 is a potential key molecule and the interventions targeting CCL5 could be a potential strategy for inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and restoring bone remodeling.

Sex-specific prevalence and risk factors of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease among 75,570 individuals in eastern China

Background

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a newly proposed definition and there is limited data on MAFLD prevalence. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of MAFLD in an eastern Chinese population.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included participants from an eastern Chinese population who underwent regular health checkups. Based on current diagnostic criteria, MAFLD was diagnosed in individuals with both hepatic steatosis and metabolic disorders. The overall and stratified prevalence derived based on sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and various metabolic disorders were estimated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for MAFLD.

Results

Among the 75,570 participants, the overall prevalence of MAFLD was 37.32%, with higher rates in men (45.66%) than in women (23.91%). MAFLD prevalence was highest in men aged 40-49 years (52.21%) and women aged 70-79 years (44.77%). In all the BMI subgroups, the prevalence was higher in men than in women. In both sexes, the prevalence of MAFLD increased as BMI levels increased. Furthermore, MAFLD was associated with metabolic disorders, especially in the female participants with severe obesity (odds ratio 58.318; 95% confidence interval: 46.978-72.397).

Conclusion

MAFLD is prevalent in the general adult population in eastern China. Sex-specific differences in MAFLD prevalence were identified based on age, BMI, and metabolic disorders. MAFLD is associated with metabolic disorders, particularly obesity.

Modifiable risk-attributable and age-related burden of lung cancer in China, 1990-2019

BACKGROUND

There were limited studies on the quantification of the modifiable and nonmodifiable lung cancer burden over time in China. Furthermore, the potential effect of risk factor reduction for lung cancer on gains in life expectancy (LE) remains unknown.

METHODS

This study explored temporal trends in lung cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) attributable to modifiable risk factors from 1990 to 2019, based on the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study. The abridged period life table method was used to quantify the effect of risk factors on LE. The authors used the decomposition approach to estimate contributions of aging metrics to change in the lung cancer burden.

RESULTS

Nationally, the majority of lung cancer deaths and DALYs were attributable to behavioral and environmental risk clusters. Potential gains in life expectancy (PGLE) at birth would be 0.78 years for males and 0.35 years for females if the exposure to risk factors was mitigated to the theoretical minimum level. Tobacco use had the most robust impact on LE for both sexes (PGLE: 0.71 years for males and 0.19 years for females). From 1990 to 2019, risk-attributable age-standardized death and DALY rates of lung cancer showed an increasing trend in both sexes; adult population growth imposed 245.9 thousand deaths and 6.2 million DALYs for lung cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The modifiable risk-attributable lung cancer burden remains high in China. Effective tobacco control is the critical step toward addressing the lung cancer burden. Adult population growth was the foremost driver of transition in the age-related lung cancer burden.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

We estimate the lung cancer burden attributable to modifiable and nonmodifiable contributors and the effect of risk factor reduction for lung cancer on the life expectancy in China. The findings suggest that the majority of lung cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life years were attributable to behavioral risk clusters, and the risk-attributable lung cancer burden increased nationally from 1990 to 2019. The average gains in life expectancy would be 0.78 years for males and 0.35 years for females if the exposure to risk factors for lung cancer was reduced to the theoretical minimum risk exposure level. Adult population growth was identified as the foremost driver of variation in the aging lung cancer burden.

Depression, anxiety and insomnia in Chinese older adults and their family caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic: an actor-partner interdependence model approach

Aims

This study aimed to explore the dyadic effects of depression and anxiety on insomnia symptoms in Chinese older adults and their caregivers living in a community setting.

Methods

Data were collected from 1,507 pairs of older adults and their caregivers who were in the Guangdong Mental Health Survey in China. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder module 7 (GAD-7), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were used to measure depression, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms. Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIM) were used to determine whether anxiety or depression symptoms predicted individual or dyadic insomnia.

Results

Older adults' and caregivers' depression and anxiety had significant positive correlations with their own and their caregivers' insomnia symptoms (all P < 0.001). Actor effects were found between depression and insomnia symptoms in both older adults and caregivers (B = 0.695, P < 0.001; B = 0.547, P < 0.001, respectively), with one significant partner effects (B = 0.080, P = 0.007). Actor effects were also found between anxiety and insomnia symptoms in both older adults and caregivers (B = 0.825, P < 0.001; B = 0.751, P < 0.001, respectively), with one significant partner effects (B = 0.097, P = 0.004). However, the caregivers' depression and anxiety were not associated with older adults' insomnia symptoms in the APIM analyses.

Conclusions

Older adults and their caregivers had an interrelationship between psychological distress and insomnia. Consequently, healthcare providers might consider involving dyads when designing programs to reduce insomnia and improve psychological distress for family caregivers.

Ethnic disparities in prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases and its multimorbidity among older adults in rural southwest China

BACKGROUND

As the population ages, chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) multimorbidity has emerged as a major public health issue globally. This study examines ethnic disparities in prevalence of NCDs and its multimorbidity among rural southwest Chinese older adults.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in rural southwest population aged ≥ 60 years consisting of 5,642 consenting participants of Han and three ethnic minority groups (Dai, Ha Ni, and Bai). Information about participants' demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors was obtained using a standard questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, and waist circumference, fasting blood sugar and blood pressure measurement, as well as post-bronchodilator spirometry test were recorded for each participant.

RESULTS

The age-standardized prevalence of five common chronic NCDs- hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - and its multimorbidity was 72.8%, 15.9%, 4.0%, 10.0%, 9.8%, and 27.6%, respectively. Bai participants had both the highest overall and sex-specific prevalence rates of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and COPD, whereas Han participants had the highest rates of CHD (P < 0.01). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that female and older participants had a higher probability of chronic NCDs multimorbidity than their counterparts (P < 0.01). Bai ethnic minority participants were more likely to have NCDs multimorbidity while Ha Ni and Dai ethnic minority participants were less likely to have NCD multimorbidity relative to the Han participants (P < 0.05). Older adults with a higher level of education and family history of chronic NCDs, and who were also current smokers, current drinkers, obese, centrally obese, and physically inactive had a greater probability of developing chronic NCDs multimorbidity (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Ethnicity and individual demographic and lifestyle factors significantly impact prevalence of chronic NCDs multimorbidity. Future chronic NCDs prevention and control strategies must be tailored to address ethnicity, and culturally tailored lifestyle interventions may reduce the prevalence of chronic NCDs multimorbidity in rural southwest China.

Temporal trend of population structure, burden of diseases, healthcare resources and expenditure in China, 2000-2019

OBJECTIVES

To explore the evolutionary trend of population structure, disease burden, healthcare resources and expenditure in China, and to identify key domains that are most in need of intervention.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis.

DATA SOURCE

Population and healthcare data from China Statistical Yearbook, and disease burden attributable to causes and risk factors from the Global Burden of Diseases between 2000 and 2019.

MEASURES AND METHODS

We used the Joinpoint Regression Program to measure trends in population composition, population change, dependency ratio, healthcare institution, personnel, expenditure and disease burden from 2000 to 2019.

RESULTS

Regarding the population in China between 2000 and 2019, a decreasing trend was observed among youth aged 0-14 years (average annual percent change (AAPC): -1.17), a slow rising trend was observed among individuals aged 15-64 years (AAPC: 1.10) and a rapidly increasing trend was observed among individuals older than 65 years (AAPC: 3.67). Astonishing increasing trends in healthcare institutions (AAPC: 3.97), medical personnel (AAPC: 3.26) and healthcare expenditures (AAPC: 15.28) were also observed. Among individuals younger than 70 years, neoplasms (AAPC: 0.54) and cardiovascular diseases (AAPC: 0.67) remained among the top three causes, while tobacco (AAPC: 0.22) remained a top three risk factor. However, while musculoskeletal disorders (AAPC: 1.88) were not a top three cause in 2000, they are a top three cause in 2019.

CONCLUSION

Comprehensive age/cause/risk factor-specific strategies are key to reconcile the tension among the triad of population ageing, disease burden and healthcare expenditure. The disease burden from cardiometabolic diseases, neoplasms and musculoskeletal disorders was identified as key domains that require intervention to reduce an increasing disease burden among individuals currently older than 70 years, as well as those approaching this age group.

Relationship between specific leisure activities and successful aging among older adults

Background/Objectives

This study was designed to investigate the association between specific leisure activities and successful aging among older adults, using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.

Methods

A total of 7689 older adults were involved in this study and categorized as successful aging group (n = 3989; 51.8%) or non-successful aging group (n = 3703; 48.2%). Participants were identified as successful aging if they had a score of more than 3 points, or as non-successful aging. The points were based on the following five items and each item was assigned 1 point: self-rated health, self-rated psychological status or mood, cognitive function, activities of daily life, and physical activity. Six activities including gardening work, reading newspapers or books, raising domestic animals or pets, playing cards or mahjong, watching TV or listening to radio, and participating in social activities were collected to reflect leisure activities. Chi-square tests, independent sample t-test, and logistic regression analyses were employed to explore the association between specific leisure activities and successful aging.

Results

The prevalence of successful aging was 51.8% among Chinese older adults. A significant positive relationship was found between the frequency of participation in specific leisure activities and successful aging (p < 0.05). Older adults who usually participated in leisure activities had greater odds for successful aging compared to those who never participated in leisure activities (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.31 (95% CI: 1.15-1.49) to 1.88 (95% CI: 1.62-2.19)). Older adults participating in one or more leisure activities had greater odds for successful aging compared to those who did not participate in leisure activities (adjusted OR: 1.51 (95% CI: 1.30-1.76) to 4.10 (95% CI: 2.44-6.89)).

Conclusions

The findings provide evidence that participating more frequently and in more leisure activities was associated with a greater probability of successful aging among Chinese older adults. Encouraging older people to participate frequently in a larger number of leisure activities may be a key to promote successful aging. Therefore, the frequency and number of participation in leisure activities should be highlighted and targeted for promoting successful aging.

Disease burden of ageing, sex and regional disparities and health resources allocation: a longitudinal analysis of 31 provinces in Mainland China

OBJECTIVES

To measure the disease burden of ageing based on age-related diseases (ARDs), the sex and regional disparities and the impact of health resources allocation on the burden in China.

DESIGN

A national comparative study based on Global Burden of Diseases Study estimates and China's routine official statistics.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-one provinces of Mainland China were included for analysis in the study. No individuals were involved.

METHODS

We first identified the ARDs and calculated the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of ARDs in 2016. We assessed the ARD burden disparities by province and sex and calculated the provincial ARD burden-adjusted age. We assessed historical changes between 1990 and 2016. Fixed effects regression models were adopted to evaluate the impact of health expenditures and health workforce indicators on the ARD burden in 2010-2016.

RESULTS

In 2016, China's total burden of ARDs was 15 703.7 DALYs (95% uncertainty intervals: 12 628.5, 18 406.2) per 100 000 population. Non-communicable diseases accounted for 91.9% of the burden. There were significant regional disparities. The leading five youngest provinces were Beijing, Guangdong, Shanghai, Zhejiang and Fujian, located on the east coast of China with an ARD burden-adjusted age below 40 years. After standardising the age structure, western provinces, including Tibet, Qinghai, Guizhou and Xinjiang, had the highest burden of ARDs. Males were disproportionately affected by ARDs. China's overall age-standardised ARD burden has decreased since 1990, and females and eastern provinces experienced the largest decline. Regression results showed that the urban-rural gap in health workforce density was positively associated with the ARD burdens.

CONCLUSION

Chronological age alone does not provide a strong enough basis for appropriate ageing resource planning or policymaking. In China, concerted efforts should be made to reduce the ARDs burden and its disparities. Health resources should be deliberately allocated to western provinces facing the greatest health challenges due to future ageing.

Both Short and Long Sleep Durations Are Associated with Poor Cognition and Memory in Chinese Adults Aged 55+ Years-Results from China Health and Nutrition Survey

We aimed to examine the associations between sleep duration and cognitive functions and memory in older Chinese adults attending the China Health and Nutrition Survey. A total of 7924 participants 55 years and older who reported their sleep duration and had a cognitive screen test in 2004, 2006, and 2015 were included in the analysis. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to assess the associations. A short sleep duration (≤6 h/day) and long sleep duration (≥10 h/day) were positively associated with a low global cognitive score (odds ratio-OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01-1.50; OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.17-1.79, respectively). Both short sleepers and long sleepers had an increased risk of self-reported poor memory (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.39-1.91; OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.25-1.74, respectively). No differences in the above associations were found for income, education, and urbanity. In conclusion, both the short and long sleep duration were associated with declined cognition and memory. Maintaining a normal sleep duration may aid in the prevention of cognitive function decline in older adults.

Prevalence and prognosis of hard-to-heal wounds with comorbidities in China

OBJECTIVE

Regular retrospective analysis is necessary for potential improvement in clinical practice for the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds. Comorbidities and outcomes have demonstrated spatial and temporal diversity, emphasising the importance of updates in epidemiology. The complexity of healing hard-to-heal wounds has long been known, and so we sought evidence-based improvement on the current principles of treatment.

METHOD

Demographic and clinical information of patients from the WoundCareLog database was collected. Patients who met the inclusion criteria and completed follow-up after treatment were included. Comorbidities were diagnosed and classified into eight categories based on ICD-10. We compared the demographic and aetiological characteristics between patients with and without comorbidities by t-test and Chi-squared test. The impact of comorbidities on wound healing were evaluated with a multivariate Cox model.

RESULTS

A total of 2163 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled, of whom 37.0% were aged 61-80 years, 36.0% were aged 41-60 years and 60.8% were male. The lower extremities and buttocks were the most commonly affected areas with hard-to-heal wounds. Non-traumatic wounds accounted for 66.6% of cases, and infection, pressure and diabetes were the most common causes. Paralysis and diabetes were the most important factors which led to a prolonged healing process and inferior clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Comorbidities of hard-to-heal wounds were treated as separate contributors and their weighted effect on outcome was calculated through correlation analysis. Paralysis and diabetes were the most unfavourable comorbidities affecting the treatment of non-traumatic hard-to-heal wounds. Our study highlighted the priority of comorbidity treatment through data-driven approaches. It provides potential value in developing better public health strategies and preventive medicine.

Clinical Effects of Outpatient Health Education on Fall Prevention and Self-health Management of Elderly Patients with Chronic Diseases

Background

Elderly patients with chronic diseases (CDs) have a higher predilection for falls, with more severe consequences once they fall. Therefore, it is necessary to explore an effective way to prevent falls in elderly patients with CDs.

Objective

To clarify the clinical effects of outpatient health education on fall prevention and self-health management in elderly patients with CDs.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 102 elderly patients with CDs who received treatment in the School of Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University, between January 2019 and December 2020. Patients intervened by routine nursing were assigned to the regular group (n = 48), and those additionally treated with outpatient health education were included in the research group (n = 54). Assessment of patients' negative emotions (NEs) adopted the Self-Rating Anxiety/Depression Scale (SAS/SDS), determination of their sense of self-efficacy employed the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), and their self-care capacity evaluation used the Exercise of Self-Care Agency (ESCA). Patients' falls, hospitalization time, fall prevention knowledge, fall prevention-related health behavior, and nursing satisfaction were recorded.

Results

After the nursing intervention, lower SAS, SDS, and FES-I scores were determined in the research group versus the regular group; the total ESCA score assessed from various dimensions was higher in the research group; the research group also exhibited a markedly lower incidence of falls, and shorter hospitalization time than the regular group, with better mastery of fall prevention knowledge, fall prevention-related health behavior and nursing satisfaction.

Conclusions

Outpatient health education intervention can prevent senile patients with CDs from falling, promote their rehabilitation, and enhance their mastery of fall prevention knowledge; moreover, it can improve patients' healthy behaviors to prevent falls, mitigate their NEs, and improve their sense of self-efficacy and self-care ability, which has high clinical application value.

Mental health status and associated contributing factors among the Hakka elderly in Fujian, China

Purpose

Little is known about the mental health of the Hakka elderly. This study explores the status of, and factors associated with mental health among Hakka elderly populations from Fujian, China.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional, community-based survey study containing a total of 1,262 valid samples. The Chinese version Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) was used to assess the mental health status of the Hakka elderly. We used t-tests to compare the differences for 10 dimensions of SCL-90-R scores between the Chinese national norm and the Hakka elderly. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed by using linear regression analysis to identify the main socio-demographic factors that were most predictive of the total score of SCL-90-R in the Hakka elderly.

Results

The scores of somatization (1.78 ± 0.55 vs. 1.40 ± 0.46, P < 0.001) and phobic anxiety (1.21 ± 0.36 vs. 1.17 ± 0.31, P < 0.001) for the Hakka elderly in Fujian appeared to be significantly higher than the Chinese norm. The higher total scores of SCL-90-R were found among females (β = 0.030, P = 0.044), widowed persons (β = 0.053, P = 0.021), those with parent(s) alive (β = 0.047, P = 0.019), and those with poorer self-rated health status (β = 0.110, P < 0.001). The lower total scores of SCL-90-R were found among those who were currently living in town, those with lower education level, those with higher average annual household incomes, and those who were living with spouse or children.

Conclusion

The worse mental health conditions of the Hakka elderly in somatization and phobic anxiety were detected. The overall mental health status was shown to be worse among females, widowed persons, those who were living in village, those with lower education, and those with father or/and mother alive.

The Health Impact Fund: making the case for engagement with pharmaceutical laboratories in Brazil, Russia, India, and China

Despite progress in global health, the general disease burden still disproportionately falls on low- and middle-income countries. The health needs of these countries' populations are unmet because there is a shortage in drug research and development, as well as a lack of access to essential drugs. This health disparity is especially problematic for diseases associated with poverty, namely neglected tropical diseases and microbial infections. Currently, the pharmaceutical landscape focuses on innovations determined by profit margins and intellectual property protection. To expand drug accessibility and catalyze research and development for neglected diseases, a team of researchers proposed the Health Impact Fund as a potential solution. However, the fund is predominantly considering partnerships with pharmaceutical giants in high-income countries. This commentary explores the limitations and benefits in partnering with pharmaceutical companies based in Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC), with the goal of expanding the Health Impact Fund's vision to incorporate long-term, local partnerships. Identified limitations to a BRIC country partnership include lower levels of drug development expertise compared to their high-income pharmaceutical counterparts, and whether the Health Impact Fund and the participating stakeholders have the financial capability to assist in bringing a new drug to market. However, potential benefits include the creation of new incentives to fuel competitive local innovation, more equitable routes to drug discovery and development, and a product pipeline that could involve stakeholders in lower- and middle-income countries. Our commentary explores how partnership with pharmaceutical firms in BRIC countries might be advantageous for all: The Health Impact Fund, pharmaceutical companies in BRIC economies, and stakeholders in low- and middle- income countries.

Seafood Intake as a Method of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Prevention in Adults

Seafood (fish in particular) is one of the main food groups in nutrition models with proven health benefits. Seafood has long been considered a very valuable dietary component, mainly due to presence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) but it is also an important source of protein (including collagen), anserine, taurine, iodine, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin D, tocopherols, B vitamins and astaxanthin. Considering the beneficial effects of these ingredients on blood pressure, lipid profile and the inflammatory process, seafood should be an essential component of the diet. Non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and mental disorder, chronic respiratory diseases are common diseases associated with advanced age. Promotion of a healthy lifestyle (including proper nutritional behavior) and prevention of diseases are the most effective and efficient ways to decrease premature mortality from NCD and to maintain mental health and well-being. This review article shows the potential preventive and therapeutic effects of seafood with an emphasis on fish. Our narrative review presents the results of systematic reviews and meta-analysis.