Obesity & COVID-19, risks and statistics
As the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be just in sight, meaning less restrictions and hopefully resuming some much overdue normality. You may have noticed, last year the government plans to help in the fight against obesity.
Living with excess weight puts people at a higher risk of serious illness or complications, if contracting COVID-19. According to governments statistics, 8% of critically ill patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units have been morbidly obese compared with just 2.9% of the general population (link here). This information shows us that there could potentially be a problem for many and the NHS as restrictions ease.
Research in the UK taken place in 166 hospitals with over 16,749 participants, has suggested that people who are obese are 33% more likely to die with COVID-19 (link here).
Why could this be?
The reasons behind this are still being explored. In the early stages of the pandemic, experts quickly linked the following health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease amongst many others, to higher rates of mortality for positive COVID-19 patients. As we already know, these health conditions are greatly linked to obesity.
In light of this information, the government have been focussing on how they can help in the fight against excess weight and obesity. With strategies such as banning the advertisement of high sugar, high fat foods before 9pm, when children are most likely to be influenced. Another tactic, placing high fat, high sugar foods in less convenient places in supermarkets, such as by the entrance and checkout.
With the recent dramatic change in how we live our lives and a big focus on our mental health, there is no better time like the present to address any weight concerns you may have.
People struggling with obesity had a 55% increased risk of developing depression over time. People experiencing depression had a 58% increased risk of becoming obese (link here).
If you would like any professional medical advice on weight loss treatments, you can book now for a free consultation with our specialist weight loss doctor.
