Problems relating to metabolic balance, such as obesity and hypertension, have been a concern for Australians for many years. We know that obesity and hypertension can cause many ongoing health issues for individuals, including an increased risk of contracting Covid-19 and prolonging its severe effects.
When the pandemic began, it was noted that people with metabolic concerns were most at risk of being affected by the severe symptoms and ongoing consequences of the virus. Since then, parts of society have moved towards taking a new lease on life, improving lifestyles and talking to their pharmacists to learn how they can strengthen their metabolic health.
For 30 years, the prevalence of overweight people in Australia has been increasing.¹ Obesity, as we know, can lead to diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and a number of other health concerns, and now, famously, adverse outcomes from Covid-19.
In Australia as of 2020, 67 per cent of adults were overweight or obese, with higher rates of men being overweight compared with women.²
Hypertension is also a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and Covid-19.
In 2017-18 it was noted that about one in three people aged 18 and over in Australia had high blood pressure.³
The emergence of Covid-19
When the pandemic began, we had little information or data about Covid-19.
However, as knowledge grew, awareness of those groups most at risk grew too. It became clear that older adults as well as those immunocompromised due to underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of developing serious complications from the illness.⁴
Data also showed that obesity may be linked to the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation for those infected.
A review of 75 studies found that, compared with people of healthy weight, those with obesity were 113 per cent more likely to be hospitalised as a result of Covid-19.⁴
As those with low metabolic health were found to be at high risk of infection from Covid-19 it highlighted this important issue that’s been of increasing concern in this country.
Australians have had no choice but to look inward and reflect on their own lifestyle habits to help ensure they are not compromised by metabolic health issues.
Community pharmacy is among the industries that have witnessed a significant change in people’s attitudes towards metabolic health.
“Customers are wanting to assess their weight-reducing options,” community pharmacist and accredited consultant pharmacist Karalyn Huxhagen said.
“This area of weight loss – both OTC and prescription – has grown during Covid. I couldn’t say that customers are aware that they have an increased risk of hospitalisation due to their weight, but they have an awareness that their normal exercise regimes and being able to effectively exercise have been severely impacted by Covid-19.”
A change of lifestyle
Ms Huxhagen says the main lifestyle measures people can take to help strengthen their metabolic health include eating well, exercising regularly (with an activity that brings about the burning of stored energy reserves) and stopping smoking.
Eat well
Maintaining a nutritionally balanced diet is vital to fighting the effects of the Covid-19 virus. The nutritional status of individuals has been a factor in achieving resilience to destabilisation throughout the pandemic.⁶
Optimal nutrient intake impacts the immune system and is regarded as one of the few sustainable ways of surviving the virus’s impacts.⁶
Exercise
Exercise has the power to significantly reduce the risks of chronic metabolic diseases.
It’s suggested that adults should be active most days with 2.5 to five hours of moderate activity or 1.25 to 2.5 hours of vigorous activity per week.⁷
Quit smoking
When someone quits smoking, within six hours of stopping, their heart rate slows and blood pressure becomes more stable.⁸
Within a day, the level of carbon monoxide in their blood drops and oxygen can more easily reach the muscles.⁸
Along with many other improvements, there is a rise in blood levels of antioxidants, such as vitamin C.⁸
Monitoring metabolic health at the community level
Community pharmacists play a significant role when it comes to monitoring metabolic health, which “increases customers’ awareness of the risk factors for chronic disease”, Ms Huxhagen says.
Ways in which pharmacists can help monitor their community’s metabolic health include performing regular health checks on customers.
Pharmacies can offer a range of services that offer solutions and strategies for customers to keep track of their metabolic health.
Ms Huxhagen lists health checks, weight loss programs and exercise programs as ways in which pharmacies can help service their community, noting that some pharmacies even have walking groups as an opportunity for customers to strengthen their metabolic health in a comfortable environment.
“Offering and performing health checks is a customer service that can be remunerated by the customer. [The service] gains customer loyalty if performed well with follow-up service,” said Ms Huxhagen.
References
- Monash University. 2022. The problem. monash.edu/medicine/ccs/obesity/obesity-the-problem
- Obesity Evidence Hub. 2021. ‘Obesity trends in Australian adults’.org.au/collections/trends/adults-australia
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2019. ‘High blood pressure’. gov.au/reports/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure/contents/high-blood-pressure
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. 2020. ‘Covd-19 and obesity’. hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/2020/10/24/covid-19-and-obesity/
- Malik P, et al. 2020. ‘Obesity a predictor of outcomes of Covid-19 hospitalised patients: A systematic review and metanalysis’. doi.org/10.1002/jmv.26555
- Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. ‘How nutrition can help to fight against Covid-19 pandemic’. doi: 10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2776
- Australian Government Department of Health. 2021. ‘Physical activity and exercise for all Australians’. gov.au/health-topics/physical-activity-and-exercise/physical-activity-and-exercise-guidelines-for-all-australians
- 2022. ‘The health benefits of quitting smoking’. quit.org.au/articles/the-health-benefits-of-quitting-smoking/
This feature was originally published in the May issue of Retail Pharmacy magazine.
