Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as it evolves and changes
27 April 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has immediate and long-term implications for a range of factors that can influence an individual’s risk of developing cancer – especially for those in vulnerable and low-income populations, and those facing a rapid loss of income. While the pandemic presents immediate health risks, it is also changing our food consumption patterns and our levels of physical activity, potentially impacting on the longer-term health of populations.
The World Health Organization has highlighted that people with pre-existing medical conditions and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, appear to be more at risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms after catching the virus. There is also some preliminary evidence that people living with obesity also have worse health outcomes1-3.
Living with overweight and obesity increases the risk of at least 12 different types of cancer. So a healthy, balanced diet is vital for good health, but especially so during and after infection. As shown by World Cancer Research Fund’s (WCRF) Cancer Prevention Recommendations, a healthy diet, alongside physical activity, is key to maintaining a healthy immune system. There is also evidence to show that people affected by obesity can have an impaired immune response or immune function, making them more vulnerable to infections. Not only does a healthy diet provide ongoing support to the immune system, but as part of a healthy lifestyle it can help reduce around 40 per cent of cancers, as highlighted in WCRF’s Third Expert Report, Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective.
However, the very measures designed to keep us safe from COVID-19, such as lockdowns, have the unintended consequence of affecting our diet and physical activity levels. This often affects the poorest and most vulnerable disproportionately, due to the lack of access to quality, affordable, healthy food. The pandemic has caused food supply disruption, stockpiling and production issues, and spikes in food prices. This has led to an increased reliance on highly processed, long shelf life, calorie-rich foods and has reduced access to fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition, nutrition-specific community measures designed to address problems of malnutrition might be suspended to focus health resources on COVID-19.
All of these changes can contribute to weight gain, the long-term effects of which can have an impact throughout the life course, starting for example with the suspension of a number of different health services, for example maternal health services such as breastfeeding support services. For children, having been breastfed reduces their risk of being overweight or obese in childhood and adulthood, decreasing their risk of many cancers in later life.
There are also health risks due to reduced physical activity and increased sedentary behaviour due to movement restrictions and physical distancing measures. In America, time spent on streaming platforms such as Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime grew by 34 percent over two weeks at the beginning of March 2020, with collective usage going from 116.4bn minutes the week of 2 March to 156.1bn in the week of 16 March.
WCRF’s expert panel found strong evidence that greater screen time is a convincing cause of weight gain, overweight and obesity in children – an issue that could be exacerbated in the crisis. Increased screen time also increases exposure to advertising, which, research shows, affects the dietary intake of children4. However, for many stuck inside with no access to gardens or other outdoor spaces, active video games or exercise videos may be their best chance for physical activity.
The food and drink industry have been quick to offer products and services to overcome physical distancing or offer “comfort” in a time in crisis. However, many of these products are high in salt, fat and sugar. In managing the immediate crisis, there are risks that the enforcement of regulations could be relaxed, loopholes exploited, and businesses start using new tactics to promote unhealthy products in times of economic crisis and uncertainty.
To ensure populations continue to access and consume healthy diets and can be physically active during the pandemic, governments should:
Before the pandemic we already had a global epidemic of overweight and obesity. Governments could be presented with a ticking health time-bomb of rising overweight and obesity rates, and a greater burden of disease, once the pandemic subsides if healthy diets and physical activity are not prioritised.
Indeed, this pandemic could provide the pivotal moment to refocus on prevention, reshape policy, and increase action to reduce rising rates of overweight and obesity.
To achieve this, we urge governments to, as soon as viable, take a longer-term view and:
These are very difficult times. Despite these challenges, WCRF commends the World Health Organization for its leadership and coordination of the pandemic response. The World Health Organization has played, and continues to play, a critical role in protecting people’s health and we urge the international community to maintain support for the WHO.
WCRF does not take responsibility for the resources or the information contained.
Union of International Cancer Control
Guidance on COVID-19 and NCDs: World Health Organization
Calls to action from NCD civil society: Non-Communicable Disease Alliance
Response to COVID-19: Non-Communicable Disease Alliance
Resources relevant to NCDs: Non-Communicable Disease Alliance
Will the Covid-19 pandemic increase obesity rates? International Development Studies
COVID-19 and obesity: World Obesity Federation
COVID-19 and obesity policy statement: World Obesity Federation
COVID-19 and Obesity Webinar Series 1 – The collision of two pandemics: COVID-19 and obesity: World Obesity Federation
COVID-19 and Obesity Webinar Series 2 – People at the Centre: Obesity, COVID-19 and the Patient Perspective: World Obesity Federation
COVID-19 and Obesity Webinar Series 3 – Children, Obesity and COVID-19: Risks and recommendations for the most vulnerable populations: World Obesity Federation
COVID-19 and Obesity: European Association for the Study of Obesity
Food and nutrition tips during self-quarantine: World Health Organization
Physical activity in quarantine: WHO EURO
[Blog] Healthy diets for human resilience in the age of COVID-19: Nutrition Connect
[Policy and Research] A new global research agenda for food: Nature
[Blog] The COVID-19 Crisis and Food Systems: addressing threats, creating opportunities: GAIN
Food Environments in the COVID-19 Pandemic: United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition
A resource list on Food Systems and Nutrition responses: United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition
COVID-19 & Nutrition Advocacy Talking Points: International Coalition on Advocacy for Nutrition (ICAN)
Latest news and views on COVID-19 and food systems: Nutrition Connect
COVID-19 – Policy tools: FAO