Risk factors for non-communicable diseases

• A risk factor is something that increases the chance of developing disease
• Risk factor can be divided between:

  • Aspects of a persons life
  • substances in a persons body
  • a persons genetics
• lifestyle factors that can increase disease development:

  • poor diet
  • lack of sleep
  • too much stress
  • smoking
  • lack of exercise
  • drinking alcohol
• Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and heart disease
• Drinking alcohol is a risk factor for liver disease and brain disease
• Smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.
• Risk factors for cancer:

  • exposure to certain substances
  • exposure to ionising radiation