COVID 19 and Obesity

Happy 4th July to all liberated viewers. COVID 19 and Obesity.

Firstly, of course vitamin A, D E and K are fat soluble.

People who are very overweight (obese)

Greater risk of severe symptoms

Ending up in hospital

Even if they are young

UK Obesity

28.7% of adults in the UK are classified as obese

A further 35% are overweight

63.7 obese or overweight

36.3% health weight

'overweight'.

Potentially putting the majority at increased risk

US obesity

CDC

Common, serious, costly disease

US prevalence = 42.4%, 2017 - 2018

Overweight = 32.5%

Normal weight = 25%

BMI, 30 or more = obese

BMI, 25.0 to 29.9 = overweight

BMI calculator,

Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer

Leading causes of preventable, premature death

Annual medical cost of obesity, $1,429

Ethnicity

Non-Hispanic blacks, 49.6%

Hispanics, 44.8%

Non-Hispanic whites, 42.2%

Non-Hispanic Asians, 17.4%

Age

Young adults, 40% aged 20 to 39 years

Middle-aged adults, 44.8% aged 40 to 59 years

60 years + 42.8%

Stigmatisation

It’s vital not to further stigmatise those who are overweight or obese as they may already suffer from poorer healthcare

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Study from China

People who developed critical COVID and died had a higher average BMI than people developing only mild disease

Study from the US

Younger age group patients hospitalized more likely to be obese

People from the UK admitted to CCU, 73% were overweight or obese

COVID symptom tracker

2.6m people, data taken on height, weight, medical conditions, daily health report

People who are obese about 20% more likely to be hospitalised with COVID symptoms

Compared with people with lower BMI

More likely to need respiratory support such as ventilation

Across all the age groups, including younger people.

Obesity affects health and immunity

Increases the chances of developing chronic health problems, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, some cancers

Increases risk of infections

Impaired immune response

Easier for bacteria and viruses to invade the body and set up an infection

Makes severe COVID complications from infections more likely, e.g. acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

More likely to catch seasonal flu

Suffer for longer

More risk of severe outcomes

More likely to transmit infection to others

Why so much obesity?

Combined interaction between physical, social, and environmental factors

Tips for obesity in the current pandemic

Social distancing, hygiene guidelines, face covering

Move towards a normal weight

Good nutrients

Consider vitamin D

Regular outdoor physical activity

Consider mental health

Ask about a flu jab