Sapphire Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing of Central Queens on Obesity Becoming a Risk Factor for COVID-19
- By Ady Fox
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- 16 Sep, 2020
Since researchers have begun to know more about why COVID-19 is harmless for some people and fatal for others, the focus has been on pre-existing health conditions (along with age). Many of those who struggled were obese and had conditions like diabetes and heart disease that made dealing with COVID-19 much more difficult.
But as the pandemic wears on, more research has been done, and now it’s believed that obesity itself is a risk factor for severe complications from the novel coronavirus.
Sapphire Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing of Central Queens has a look at the link between obesity and COVID-19.
Study: Increased Risk of COVID Complications Linked to Higher BMI
One study of over 5,200 people who tested positive for COVID-19 found that the chances for hospitalization were higher in people with a higher body-mass index (BMI), even when taking other high-risk conditions like diabetes and heart disease out of the equation. A BMI of 30 is considered obese, and serious COVID-19 complications were found in extremely obese people, which is defined as a BMI of 40 or higher.
Issues With Obesity That COVID-19 Feeds On
Researchers believe the extra weight puts additional strain on the body, especially when it’s needed to fight off an infection. Additionally, excess fat can limit the lungs’ ability to function properly, and the virus is notorious for attacking weakened lungs. Chronic inflammation is another problem that comes with obesity, and it also can weaken your immune system and the body’s other lines of defense when it comes to fighting off intruders.
Concerns About a Vaccine
Research over the years has shown that the flu shot and other vaccines are not as effective on obese people, so there is a concern that it may also be the case for the COVID-19 disease.
Another concern is the obesity rate in the United States, which sits at 42% among all adults. Researchers believe this may be one reason why the U.S. has seen so many deaths due to the virus, especially in the early stages when there weren’t any real treatment options for very sick patients.
To learn more about Sapphire Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing of Central Queens and all of the services they offer, visit https://www.sapphirerehab.com/.
