From having underlying health conditions to being of older age, a number of risk factors are known to increase your risk of needing hospital treatment for coronavirus.
Now, a new study has warned that being obese can double the risk of hospitalisation for COVID-19.
Researchers from Glasgow University analysed data from 428,225 Brits, and found that as body mass index (BMI) increased, so did their risk of having a severe case of the disease.
Speaking to The Times, Paul Welsh, who led the study, said: “Certainly we think from what we’ve seen BMI is part of the picture.
“Previous studies have really focused on, once patients are in hospital, who ends up needing ventilation and who ends up dying.
“And we’ve seen in numerous different studies that obese patients tend to progress in a worse way. People with obesity are more likely to end up in hospital with Covid.”
In the study, the team used a statistical analysis to understand whether or not excess weight plays a role in the chance of serious coronavirus infection.
Their analysis revealed that being obese doubles the risk of needing hospital treatment – although the reason remains unclear.
One theory suggests that low-grade inflammation from extra fat could negatively impact the immune system, leading to more severe complications.
Obesity is also known to increase your risk of thrombosis (blood clotting), which could be relevant, considering an emerging link between coronavirus and deadly blood clots.
The findings come shortly after Matt Hancock ordered an urgent probe into why coronavirus deaths in obese and ethnic minorities are so high.
He said: “Our knowledge about this virus grows daily and it appears some groups are more affected than others.
“Emerging data from around the world suggests there could possibly be a relationship between obesity and the impact of Covid-19 on individuals.
“It’s too early to say if obesity in itself is a factor or conditions associated with it – or there is not enough data yet to rule it out – so we need to approach any assumptions with caution.
“Every death from this virus is a tragedy and behind each statistic is a name, a loss and a family that will never be the same again.”
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