The Minister of Health Isaac Adewole has cautioned Nigerians on the excessive consumption of some kinds of foods.
Speaking in Lagos at the First Annual Black Tie Gala event organized by Tristate Heart Foundation (THF) to raise N500 million in support of cardiovascular care in Nigeria, Adewole said unhealthy diets are the major contributors to cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria.
He said that hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease among Nigerians today.
He further said that one in every five Nigerians is hypertensive and at risk of premature death.
Adewole said;
“Sadly, there is widespread low consumption of proteins, fruits and vegetables and increasing patronage of fast food outlets by the population. There is also large promotion of sweetened products such as carbonated drinks, pastries, candies and other refined sugars, while excessive intake of salt is promoted by food additives such as monosodium glutamate common in delicacies such as suya, kilisi, isi-ewu, ngwo-ngwo, among others.”
Also lamenting the high rate of unhealthy living among Nigerians, the Health Minister said current estimates, show that death rate from stroke is 40-50% within the first three months of diagnoses.
He also added that 39% of those who survived stroke after three months died within a year, with 12% developing severe disability.
“I can say without fear of contradiction that at least five out of ten adults seated here tonight have elevated blood pressure and more than half of these are not aware of their situation,” he said.
