Unit 11
Introduction to Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle, Obesity, and Diabetes

In Canada and other affluent countries, some health problems such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are so common it is hard to imagine a community or country with low rates of these conditions. However, barely 100 years ago during the First World War, a physician could graduate from medical school without ever having seen a case of coronary heart disease (CHD) or lung cancer!

In this unit, we will explore the relationship between affluent lifestyles in developed countries and chronic diseases and negative health conditions. Then we will explore a major cause of and contributor to chronic diseases of lifestyle—excess weight and obesity. Finally, we will discuss type 2 diabetes.

Chronic, lifestyle-related diseases have been known by different names, including Western diseases and non-communicable diseases. In this unit we will use the most common name: chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDL).

Objectives

After completing this unit, you should be able to

1. identify and discuss chronic diseases associated with affluent lifestyles in developed countries, including the roles of lifestyle and genetics.
2. discuss evidence from historical and population studies on the roles of lifestyle and genetics in the development of chronic diseases of lifestyle, and discuss the limitations of these studies.
3. discuss obesity trends and the factors contributing to obesity in Canada, including overeating and the roles of fat, sugar, and fibre.
4. discuss the health risks associated with obesity.
5. discuss the three main strategies that promote healthy weight loss, including the dietary strategies.
6. discuss the health concerns associated with a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.
7. discuss the roles of fibre, overweight or obesity, and exercise in causing type 2 diabetes.
8. describe the glycemic index and glycemic response and their roles in type 2 diabetes; identify foods with higher and lower glycemic indices.