Coronavirus - Obesity Increases Risks From Covid-19, Experts Say - BBC News

7/26/2020 Coronavirus: Obesity increases risks from Covid-19, experts say - BBC News
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Coronavirus: Obesity increases risks from Covid-19, experts say

25 July 2020
Coronavirus pandemic
GETTY IMAGES
Being obese or overweight puts you at greater risk of serious illness or death from
Covid-19, experts say after examining existing studies.
The review of evidence by Public Health England found excess weight put people at greater
risk of needing hospital admission or intensive care.
And the risk grew substantially as weight increased.
The release comes ahead of an expected government announcement of new measures to

curb obesity.
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-53532228 1/17
Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said the current evidence was
clear, that being overweight or obese puts you at greater risk of serious illness or death from
Covid-19, as well as from many other life-threatening diseases.
"Losing weight can bring huge benefits for health - and may also help protect against the
health risks of Covid-19," she said. "The case for action on obesity has never been stronger."
The UK has one of the highest levels of obesity in Europe. Almost two-thirds of adults in
England are overweight or obese, with similar figures in Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland.
How bad is our obesity problem?
Am I overweight?
The NHS says most adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 are overweight, while
those with a BMI of 30 to 39.9 are classed as obese.
Body mass index is calculated by dividing a person's mass in kilograms by the square of their
height in metres.
Check your BMI using the BBC calculator
Another measure of excess fat is waist size - men with a waist of 94cm or more and women
with a waist of 80cm or more are more likely to develop obesity-related problems.
Supporting people to achieve and maintain a healthy weight may reduce the severe effects of
Covid-19 on the population, especially among vulnerable groups who are most affected by
obesity, the report said.
Prof Susan Jebb of the University of Oxford, said we already know that older people, men,
those from South Asian and some other ethnic groups, and people living in more deprived
areas, are at increased risk from Covid-19.
"Over and above these things, this review shows that excess weight is another very important
risk factor," she said.
There was anecdotal evidence that some people were struggling with their weight during the
pandemic, she added, which offered a "re-set moment" for everyone to think about their
lifestyle.
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According to the report, while some data suggests that more people have exercised during
lockdown, evidence indicates that the nation's exercise levels have not increased overall.
Meanwhile, snack food and alcohol sales from High Street shops have increased.
Boris Johnson is expected to announce new measures soon to combat obesity, including a
ban on TV junk food adverts before 21:00.
The measures are yet to be finalised, but are also likely to include a ban on online ads for
unhealthy foods, and limits on in-store promotions.
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7/26/2020 Coronavirus: Obesity increases risks from Covid-19, experts say - BBC News

Home News Sport Reel Worklife Travel Future M

Coronavirus: Obesity increases risks from Covid-19, experts say

And the risk grew substantially as weight increased.

The release comes ahead of an expected government announcement of new measures to

How bad is our obesity problem?

Check your BMI using the BBC calculator

SYMPTOMS: What are they and how to guard against them?

TESTING: Who can get a test and how?

YOUR QUESTIONS: Our experts have answers

LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area?

GLOBAL SPREAD: Tracking the pandemic

THE R NUMBER: What it means and why it matters

PANORAMA: Lifting the lockdown in Salford

I MAY DESTROY YOU: The groundbreaking drama making headlines in lockdown

Coronavirus pandemic Obesity NHS NHS England

Share this story About sharing

More on this story

Coronavirus prompts PM into obesity crackdown

Most people in England to be offered flu vaccine

Mothers 'unlikely to pass on Covid-19 to newborns'

Cutting screen time 'lowers risk of death'

New guidance on face coverings in England released

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