EDITORIAL: Health and wellness key during pandemic

THE Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has noted that being obese places an individual at a high risk for developing non-communicable diseases such ashypertension, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, later in life. Both the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have noted in the past as well, that obesity and overweight were on the rise throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, particularly amongst women and children.

Now we all know that we are in the midst of a serious COVID-19 pandemic and with that comes a number of challenges. One area of concern on the health and wellness side of things, is that we are hearing from the World Obesity Federation at present, that obesity-related conditions seem to worsen the effect of COVID-19. In fact, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that people with heart disease and diabetes are at higher risk of COVID-19 complications. Given the alarm about a rise in obesity and overweight was raised pre-COVID-19, we should consider what may be the likely issues and outcomes for our nation and our region in relation to this matter, during the pandemic and even post-COVID.

Of note is the fact that the World Obesity Federation says the current pandemic might contribute to an increase in obesity rates, as weight loss programmes which are often delivered in groups and interventions such as surgery, are being severely curtailed at present, and this is likely to go on for a long period of time. The measures introduced in some countries such as not leaving home for several weeks at a time or in a limited, scaled-back capacity will have an impact on mobility. Also, enforced physical inactivity, even for short periods of time, will increase the risk of metabolic disease, the organisation notes. The Federation also points out that the current crisis and the need for self-isolation is prompting many to rely on processed foods with a longer shelf life, instead of fresh produce; and canned food, which has higher quantities of sodium, can lead to increases in weight gain, if this situation persists for a longer period of time.

Consider that in Britain, millions of overweight individuals have been urged to slim down, amid stark warnings that obesity may double the risk of becoming hospitalised with the coronavirus. A diet and health expert at the University of Oxford, has urged people to use being stuck at home to get their cravings under control. So we can see, the issue is one that needs some attention.

Here in Barbados, we need Barbadians to stay in control of their diets and work hard at eating healthy and getting some exercise now that they can, given the more relaxed measures because prior to this pandemic, we had an issue with NCDs such as overweight and obesity and after this pandemic goes, that problem may have worsened. We do not want Barbadians to stay at home gorging themselves on fatty foods, but perhaps stick to more home-cooked healthy meals, even though the fast food restaurants have opened back up to some degree, offering deliveries and drive-through services. We also need to see them exercising more and finding creative ways to increase their mobility.