Fat people even more likely to be affected by COVID than previously thought

[pocketem]

UK government scientists are urgently investigating whether people living with obesity may be disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, after emerging data from intensive care units suggested a stronger link than previously thought.

New data from the UK’s Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre, which has been presented to ministers and SAGE scientists, has found that the proportion of severely obese patients in ICUs is twice the proportion in the general population.

Ministers have become increasingly alarmed by data coming out of Britain’s intensive care units, with some members of the government suggesting obesity may end up being a factor in the UK’s higher death toll.

The UK is currently projected to have the highest number of coronavirus deaths in Europe. Around 1 in 4 UK adults are obese. In 2018, the WHO found that the UK had the third highest obesity rate in Europe, behind only Malta and Turkey.

More here:
www.buzzfeed.com/amphtml/alexwickham/uk-scientists-coronavirus-obesity-link

@SquashedFlyBiscuit Sorry, but discipline and willpower won't cure a broken leg.

Obesity, old age, underlying Heather conditions, smoking, drinking, poor diet, poverty all make a person more susceptible to illness.

What's new OP?

but discipline and willpower won't cure a broken leg.

a broken leg, obviously not, but hard and painful rehabilitation is what allowed many injured to walk again... whilst they would still be stuck in bed if they hadn't put the effort.

people who are larger need and deserve help to find forms of exercise that will work for them

Isn't that kind of implying that those who are overweight are also lacking in the common sense that slimmer people have?

Maybe I'm mis-reading but that sounds a bit patronising, the reasons for obesity aren't as simple as people not knowing about different forms of exercise imo.

They have the entire internet at their fingertips
Very true, I was trying to be sympathetic and understanding, but maybe there just are no excuses🤷‍♀️
If people want to be fat let them, it's no skin off my nose 🤷‍♀️

A Dutch professor believes that the reason obese people are so badly affected by CV is because of higher amounts of Leptin. He is advising obese people with syptoms of CV to take Reservatrol (around 10g a day for 10 days I think he said). Now, I know nothing about either Leptin or Reservatrol but apparently this professor is highly respected. Will be interesting to see if there is more talk about this in the coming weeks.

Dr John Campbell suggested carrying lots of weight on your abdomen presents additional breathing problems when you’re lying on your back, hence why many icu patients are being turned.

I heard the majority were over 50, Male and overweight or obese.

It's boring and difficult to lose weight. I don't judge anyone for not being able to do it. But now there seems to be some evidence that by being obese you die horribly alone in an ICU ward, its probably the right time to start underlying the importance of it.

You can’t outrun a bad diet. Exercise is brilliant and has its own benefits, but it never counterbalances the damage done by eating a refined diet.

Sorry, Resveratrol....see, I told you I know nothing about it.

To clarify, he said to take it from first day of experiencing CV symptoms. I don't know whether this is safe to take or if 10g is a very high dose.

Isn't that kind of implying
Yer but.... I'm trying to tiptoe around but whatever I say someone takes offence so
You wanna be fat go ahead I don't give a toss🤷‍♀️

Realistically, a bit of a walk is not going to make you lose anything.
You need to lower your calorie intake ,that's the only way. There's no magical or miracle remedy. Everybody knows it, but people like to find excuses

that by being obese you might die horribly alone in an ICU ward

might !!!

Surely thats because being obese or very overweight, increases the chances of underlying health issues that are known to make Corona worse- such as diabetes, high blood pressure, increases strain on the heart etc?

@monkeytennis97

Well done, that’s a great achievement. I hope you feel the benefits soon and are motivated to keep going.

Those of us who are already bigger - I have a BMI of 42 - already know this . I’m working extremely hard and have lost 35lb or so since 1st Jan .

It’s fucking hard though - especially just now. I’ve considered suicide as a way out . I’ve had endless sleepless nights, horrendous guilt and having very intense mental health help over the phone - it’s all interlinked unfortunately . I think anyone with weight like me will be the same .

GP and psychologist have repeatedly said it’s not my fault, not laziness, that it’s like anorexia but the opposite end of the scale - literally .

FWIW GP has advised me to shield myself in every way possible . Think she said anyone with a BMI of over 35 at ++ risk from corona - and anyone with increased adipose tissue .
Something to do with ACE enzymes especially .

I’m scared that I’m going to die drowning alone, and my first answer would usually be to quiet down that fear with chocolate . Can’t do that now !

I haven't really noticed that, no.

My hugely deprived area has one of the highest adult and child obesity rates in London and most of the slimmer people I know (whose eating habits I'm privvy to) generally eat the same foods but less of it. They also tend to walk about far more

Yes, that's why epidemiologists look at averages. Of course there are thin people in poor areas too, but overall, there's a really pronounced pattern of health inequalities where people in poorer areas are on average bigger and more unhealthy, but also live in more pollution, have shitter jobs etc. It's just averages.

As to the OP who has pointed out that people who are starving are thin in developing countries- what has that to do with Western countries where 'hyperpalatable' food which is high in fat, sugar, salt is cheapest! That's the point- the cheap food is shit, and very easily available in Western contexts. People who don't eat won't be fat, but there is huge concern that we are exporting our shitty 'hyperpalatable' food into developing/middle income countries like India, and you know what, they then get fat too.

lesbihonest you have done amazingly to lose 35lbs. Please keep going.

@Worra. No they always are. These threads are never about the 'greater good' or health, they're about sticking the boot in to people with no regard as to WHY they have this health issue.

It's never accepted that there are multiple mental and physical health/societal reasons for obesity and always that they could just eat less, go for a walk etc .

The NHS and Public health England all report on contributory factors and how this is a complex societal issue but on MN it just comes down to people being lazy and eating too much.

Which is simplistic bollocks.

Monkey
That's a great result. My weight has crept up this year and I need to loose 20ibs to put me back in the middle of my bmi range. I started last week and have lost 3ibs and I was only thinking that if I had started at lockdown stage I'd nearly be there now but I didn't . I really wish I had. Lockdown gave me a great opportunity

These threads are never about the 'greater good' or health, they're about sticking the boot in to people with no regard as to WHY they have this health issue

This thread is completely about health and the greater good.

It's ridiculously over sensitive to say posters are enjoying putting the boot in, and quite mean too.

I ended up on beta blockers and anti depressants even before lockdown @lesbihonest. At the end of the day though even losing a modest amount will only help. Walking is good as a start, I have done 15 mile charity walks and stuff, but it didn’t feel it was improving my fitness really. Hence starting the running too. I’ve always eaten healthy food the problem is I eat and drink crap on top of it!!

Oh well off the the shops to get some essential provisions, on my bike!

by being obese you die horribly alone in an ICU ward

Hahahaha.

I'll correct that for you:

By having the bad luck to catch a virus, depending on your circumstances, you might be at risk of dying alone in an ICU ward.

I'm not sure that its such a complicated issue that not eating less will help people lose weight