Impact of Climate Change on Metabolic Disorders

Effects of climate change on metabolic disorders.

The two major direct climate change effects on metabolic disorders are increased temperatures and air pollution.

Ø Diabetes: For every degree Celsius rise in global temperature, diabetes incidence increases by 0.31%. Diabetes increases sensitivity to heat stress, heightens the risk of hospitalisation and morbidity during heatwaves. Diabetes also increases the negative cardiovascular effects of climate change-induced air pollution.

Ø Obesity: This condition increases sensitivity to heat stress and the risk of heat-related illness or injury. Obese adults are much more likely to suffer from heatstroke or to die during a heatwave. Elevated air pollution levels, particularly of ambient PM_2.5, are linked to reduced physical activity and consequently increasing rate of obesity.

Ø Metabolic syndrome: Components of MetS increase sensitivity to heat stress and the risk of heat-related illness or injury. Exposure to air pollutants can potentially increase the risk for dyslipidemia and development of MetS.

Other indirect climate change effects on metabolic disorders also occur:

Ø Extreme weather conditions and natural disasters (e.g., heatwaves, hurricanes, floods, fires, drought etc.,) can cause devastation of living conditions and resource scarcities, which in turn cause urban slum growth leading to increased obesity and diabetes risk. In addition, destruction of healthcare infrastructure and delivery of care can cause life-threatening exacerbation of metabolic diseases.

Ø Food insecurity caused by climate extremes and natural disasters can result in malnutrition or over- and under-nutrition. This can exacerbate T2D and related metabolic disease risk. Maternal under-nutrition in pregnancy increases the risk of the infant obesity and T2D in later life. Disrupted traditional food supplies increases the consumption of imported and processed food, exacerbating T2D risk. Low-income populations and indigenous people, who follow traditional diets are particularly at risk.