COVID and Obesity

Obesity is a term used when weight of an individual is in excess than normal desired weight of the body according to age and sex. Excess of body fat is termed as obesity. When weight of an individual is more than 20% of normal body weight than that person is considered as obese.

The reason for excess body weight is not only fat but sometimes it may be due to excess muscle weight, bone or water in body, in that cases we do not term person as obese.

The clear way of measuring obesity is in terms of Body Mass Index (BMI). An individual is considered overweight is his or her body mass index is between 25 and 29, and a person is considered as obese if BMI is more than 30.

Obesity occurs mainly due to imbalance between energy intake and its utilization that is mismanagement between input and output of energy ion body. Eating more and less physical exertion is lead to this energy equation imbalance.

Obesity shows harmful effect on human body if the overweight of body is more than 50% to 100% of normal weight, or if BMI is more than 40 values. At this stage body become prone to many diseases and overweight shows its harmful effects.

Obesity itself is the cause for several health conditions including

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• High blood pressure

• Gall bladder and fatty liver disease

• Arthritis and some cancers

Also Read: Deadly Coronavirus

COVID-19 and Obesity

As we continue to learn more about COVID-19, it’s becoming clearer that some people are more vulnerable to severe illness than others — including those who are obese.

Obesity is a risk factor for developing severe COVID-19 infection. Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes and high body weight are especially at risk of respiratory complications.

Here are few things to know about obesity and COVID-19:

• Being obese, defined as a body mass index (BMI) between 30 kg/m2 and <40 kg/m2 or severe obesity (BMI of 40 kg/m2 or above), increases your risk of severe COVID-19 illness. • Being overweight, defined as a BMI > 25 kg/m2 but less than 30 kg/m2 might increase your risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

• Obesity leads to impaired immunity, chronic inflammation, and blood that’s prone to clot, all of which can worsen COVID-19

• Obese person who become ill and require intensive care present challenges in patient management as it is more difficult to intubate them moreover it can be more difficult to obtain diagnostic imaging.

• Obesity may increase the chance of “cytokine storm” which is a life-threatening immune-related complication of COVID-19.

Also Read: Homeopathy in case of Flu

Actions to take

• Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains as well as the appropriate amount of calories

• Do regular physical while maintaining social distancing precautions.

• Get enough sleep as Insufficient sleep has been linked to depression, as well as chronic diseases that may increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

• Take your medicines for overweight or obesity exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

For more information, you can visit CDC and IndiaTimes.

US & Canada

COVID and Obesity

Also Read: Deadly Coronavirus

Also Read: Homeopathy in case of Flu

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