The Impact of COVID-19 Control measures on NCD risk factors and Metabolic health: A comparison of 3 Caribbean countries

糖尿病、高血压和心脏病等非传染性疾病是中低收入国家的主要死亡原因。加勒比妇女、城市居民和穷人更有可能感染非传染性疾病，肥胖、缺乏体育锻炼和不健康饮食等非传染性疾病风险因素的负担更大。最近为限制新冠肺炎在许多低收入中等收入国家的传播而采取的控制措施干扰了日常生活和食品系统。虽然限制酒精销售和关闭快餐店等一些控制措施可能会对非传染性疾病产生潜在的好处，但新鲜水果和蔬菜的获取机会有限以及食用不健康的储存/腌制食品的倾向可能会抵消这些好处。此外，压力、在家工作、屏幕时间的增加(电脑和电视)和无聊也会改变睡眠、体力活动和其他与非传染性疾病相关的生活方式。在这项研究中，我们将研究加勒比海三个岛屿采取的控制措施如何影响非传染性疾病患者的健康和生活方式，特别是妇女、穷人和那些生活在城市和农村社区的人。通过了解新冠肺炎控制措施对非传染性疾病风险因素(生活方式)、精神健康、代谢健康(血糖和胆固醇)和体格测量(血压和体重)的影响，低收入国家政府可以利用其有限的资源，在国家危机期间更好地照顾非传染性疾病患者，并更好地应对未来新冠肺炎和其他传染病的爆发。

Non communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are the leading causes of death in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). Caribbean women, urban dwellers and the poor are more likely to have NCDs and a greater burden of NCD risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet.The recent control measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in many LMICs interfered with daily routines and food systems. While some control measures such as limiting sale of alcohol and closure of fast food restaurants might have potential benefits on NCDs, these may be counterbalanced by limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables and a tendency to consume unhealthy stored/preserved foods. Additionally, stress, working from home, increased screen time (computer and TV) and boredom also create a change in sleep, physical activity and other NCD related lifestyle practices.In this study we will examine how control measures used in 3 Caribbean islands affected the health and lifestyle practices of people living with NCDs, particularly women, the poor and those living in urban vs rural communities. By understanding the effects of COVID-19 control measures on NCD risk factors (lifestyle practices), mental health, metabolic health (blood sugar and cholesterol) and physical measurements (blood pressure and weight), LMIC governments can use their limited resources to better care for persons with NCDs during national crises and respond better to future COVID-19 and other infectious disease outbreaks.