THE WORLD is facing an epidemic of chronic illnesses. Every year 46 million people die from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, obesity and other noncommunicable conditions – almost 60 per cent of all deaths.
The problem is no longer confined to rich countries. Most of the deaths from these diseases now occur in the developing world, which is increasingly suffering as a result of the transition towards sedentary lifestyles and a diet high in sugars, saturated fats and salt and low in nutrients. Cases of cardiovascular disease are already more numerous in India and China than in all economically developed…
