An overview on the nutrition transition and its health implications: Tunisia case

Background: In the last decades, Tunisia has undergone major demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle (including diet) changes, with drastic increases in excess adiposity nutrition related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This review provides an update of nutritional situation Tunisia. Methods: Several Tunisian datasets or international databases were used to assess availability consumption foods health outcomes. Results: Both from national aggregated data individual food data, there was a trend both increasing intake modernization/westernization diet (especially urban areas), towards more dairy meat products, sugar, fat salt. But fruits vegetables still above WHO recommendations. Except for iodine, micronutrients deficiency (iron, vitamin A D) markedly, but unevenly, present among specific groups (e.g., third adult women had anemia). Among infants, exclusive predominant breastfeeding low, while minimum diversification rate 63%. children, stunting residual increase overweight concern. 2016 17.6% men 34.6 % over 15 y. obese 15.5% diabetes, twofold decades. These prevalence much higher developed areas. Also, 86% mortality attributable NCDs. Conclusion: Addressing double burden malnutrition NCDs is priority should be based on sustainability framework, involve diversity stakeholders emphasize duty actions reduction inequalities. Keywords: Tunisia, diet, insecurity, micronutrient deficiencies, status, obesity, diseases.