Studies Show Overweight People Are More at Risk to Be in ICU If They Had COVID-19

2020-05-17 , 11:02 am

Previously, it was thought that only those of significant age or/and with underlying health conditions are susceptible to the lethal side of the Covid-19 virus.

But research is always progressing, and it seems that a new parameter has been added to the potential list of critically-ill patients:

The size of your waistline.

Yes folks;

Those years of constant snacking and munching? They might just come back to haunt you.

Study Shows Overweight Asians Are More at Risk for ICU If They Had COVID-19

According to a study by Singapore’s National Center for Infectious Diseases, overweight Asians are three times as likely to require intensive care as their thinner counterparts.

The study consisted of 91 Covid-19 patients under the age of 60; results revealed that those with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher were 6.3 times more likely to require supplemental oxygen, 1.2 times more likely to use mechanical ventilation and 3.1 times more likely to submit to intensive care.

As a result, experts have implored doctors to take BMI into the equation when accessing and prioritising patients.

“A BMI of 25 is not obese but just overweight,” said David Lye, a senior consultant and director at NCID’s Infectious Disease Research and Training Office. “Doctors should consider this when assessing patients and look for symptoms and signs that may suggest complications such as chest pain or breathlessness, high or persistent fever, and the presence of a lung infection on a chest X-ray.”

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Previous studies in other countries have also reported similar results. In New York City, a BMI of 30 and above was found to be one of the biggest factors for hospital admission in Covid-19 patients, apart from age.

A British study has also discovered that obese men were more prone to dying from the disease.

It’s not clear how the virus might affect those with a higher percentage of muscle mass. Some individuals are deemed to be overweight through the parameters of the Body Mass Index, but it’s primarily because of their body composition, which constitutes a high level of muscle mass.

What’s clear, however, is that body mass does play a part;

And if your BMI is still high despite not having hit the gym in 13 years… you might wanna start watching your weight.

Age Is Still The Priority

It has to be pointed out, however, that significant differences in baseline characteristics or clinical results related to BMI only showed up in those under the age of 60.

This might be an indicator that age is still a more important risk factor.

However, this latest study has certainly raised a vital point:

It’s not just old and sick individuals who’re at risk of dying from the Covid-19 virus;

Overweight patients might be at risk too.

So do yourself a favour and keep up a sensible diet routine;

Unnecessary munching might be acceptable in peacetime…

But it might just kill you in wartime.

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Studies Show Overweight People Are More at Risk to Be in ICU If They Had COVID-19

Study Shows Overweight Asians Are More at Risk for ICU If They Had COVID-19

Age Is Still The Priority

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