CHALLENGES TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF REGULATION OF UNHEALTHY DIET FOR THE CONTROL OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDS) remains the global leading causes of mortality and morbidity with modifiable risk factors of tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and alcohol. Unhealthy diet as one of the leading drivers of the four major NCDs such as certain types of cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory diseases. Despite concerted efforts at reducing diet-related NCDs in Nigeria, unhealthy diet prevalence remains high. Currently, statistics on diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease in Nigeria is one of the highest in Sub- Saharan Africa. To this end, this paper analyses Nigeria's National Multisectoral Action Plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2019-2025 (NMSAP), which is geared towards achieving a reduction in diet-related NCDs. The paper also discusses the challenges militating against the effectiveness of the policy framework on unhealthy diet in Nigeria while suggesting critical interventions that is required for the policy framework to be able to achieve its stated objectives.