Obesity is a driving factor in death from COVID-19

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The death rate from COVID-19 is about 10 times higher in countries where at least 50 percent of adults are overweight, according to a global study.

The study, analyzing COVID-19 mortality data from Johns Hopkins University in the United States and World Health Organization Global Health Observatory data on obesity, found 90 percent or 2.2 million of the 2.5 million deaths from pandemic disease so far occurred in countries countries with high obesity rates.

“Look at countries like Japan and South Korea, where the death rate for COVID-19 is very low and the rate of adult obesity is very low,” said Tim Lobstein, expert adviser to the World Federation of Obesity and a professor at Australia’s Sydney University who co-led the study. from Reuters on Friday.

Also read: Tips to start a diet for obese people

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According to the Team, these countries prioritize public health including the body weight of the population.

In contrast, the study found countries such as the United States and the UK, with the highest rates of death from COVID-19 and obesity.

Meanwhile, Britain has the third highest death rate from the coronavirus in the world and the fourth highest obesity rate at 184 deaths from COVID-19 per 100,000 and 63.7 percent of adults are overweight, according to WHO data.

John Wilding, professor of medicine at Britain’s University of Liverpool, said obesity should be recognized as a major health risk for COVID-19 and taken into account in any vaccination plans.

“It is very important for us to realize that obesity … increases the risk (of death from COVID-19). Therefore, like other diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, obese people should be considered as an initial priority in vaccination programs around the world,” so said he.

Also read: Ministry of Health: Obesity in Indonesia is increasing

Also read: Healthy weight, prevent obesity while beware of the myths of dieting

Also read: Recommendations for children’s physical activity, including on weekends

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