LIVINGLIVING
Covid-19 and its impact on people with
diabetes. The four studies, some in
partnership with JDRF and Moorfields Eye
Charity, will look at:
• Type 1 diabetes: The impact Covid-19
has on people with Type 1 diabetes and
the management of the condition, giving
scientists and clinicians a clearer idea of
the risk that coronavirus poses to people
with Type 1 (University of Bristol and cofunded with JDRF).
• High-risk groups: Which people with the
condition are most at risk to experience
severe symptoms of Covid-19 and why,
enabling the NHS to improve care for
people admitted to hospital with diabetes
and coronavirus and helping to save lives
(University of Exeter).
• Risk factors & complications: The effects
of the Covid-19 pandemic on risk factors
for diabetes complications, including
blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and
bodyweight (University of Glasgow).
• Sight loss: The effects of disruptions
caused by the coronavirus pandemic
on people with diabetes' vision, helping
those with diabetes and eye problems
through the pandemic (Moorfields Eye
Hospital NHS London and co-funded with
Moorfields Eye Charity).
Virus support app
A free app for coronavirus support
has been launched to help people -
particularly in 'at-risk' groups - cope
during the pandemic.
The Coronavirus Support App enables
you to access trusted health information
and practical advice on a wide range of
topics in seconds - even when offline:
• avoid misinformation - open the app
and discover clear health and wellbeing
information you trust, all in one place
• learn to self-care - get answers to
common health questions and gain the
confidence to tackle everyday challenges
• know where to get help - easily find
useful links to official NHS advice, current
government guidance, helplines and
charities.
The app can also help people
become more confident in managing
particular challenges brought to us by the
coronavirus crisis:
• Assess COVID-19 symptoms - discover
how to stay well, recognise the symptoms
of coronavirus (including the warning
signs) and know what to do next
• Manage in a crisis - know where and
how to seek help if you're experiencing
domestic abuse or are in a crisis situation
• Stay safe - learn how to stay safe if
you're in an 'at-risk' group (for example,
if you have diabetes).
The app, developed by Expert Self
Care together with over 40 UK health
professionals and experts, is not-for-profit
and free to download from the Apple App
Store.
Weight stigma
Memes, before and after pictures and
'light-hearted' jokes around weight
gain during the Covid-19 pandemic
can be harmful to many but particularly
for marginalised identities, says Emma
Laing, clinical associate professor and
director of dietetics in the University of
Georgia College of Family and Consumer
Sciences.
"Poking fun about gaining weight
perpetuates the idea that thinner bodies
are more disciplined, healthier and more
worthy of attention, and this is simply
untrue," Laing said. "The thin ideal
standards of beauty are unrealistic for
people who are genetically larger."
Another hidden message is the
assumption that people have the privilege
of focusing on health goals at the moment,
Laing said. The messages also ignore
critical issues like socioeconomic status,
food insecurity and compromised air and
water quality that can lead to stress and
chronic illness, she added.
"Many individuals have had drastic
changes to their work demands, are
experiencing financial hardships or have
legitimate concerns for their safety, so
concerns about healthy eating or exercise
might not be taking precedence," Laing
said.
"While weight-normative strategies -
pursuing weight loss to improve health
- elicit long-term successes for some
individuals, many are unable to maintain
this," Laing said. "Using bodyweight
alone as a measure of success can
backfire, particularly if indicators like blood
pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
levels improve regardless of changes in
weight."
If a person is uncomfortable with how
their body has changed over the last few
months, Laing suggests contacting a
registered dietitian who can help them
achieve wellness goals.
Let's be kind about lockdown lardiness