More than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight and about 13% of the world’s adult population were obese. An estimated 38.2 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight or obese. It was once considered a problem only for rich countries, but now overweight and obesity are on the rise in low and middle income countries particularly in urban cities.  This is due to an increase intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugars and a decrease in physical activity due to the sedentary nature of many form of work, changing mode of transport and increasing urbanization. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide with heart diseases, stroke, chronic lung disease and lower respiratory infection remaining the top killers over the past decades. Because of this, our health should be our number one priority. Diet and nutrition are important factors in the promotion and maintenance of good health throughout the entire life course. Their role is well established.

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