Covid 19, being overweight and body positivity

[SociallyDistanced2020]

Given that being overweight is clearly a major risk factor for complications from Covid 19 I do wonder what impact this crisis will have on those who are overweight. Will it spur on weight loss efforts, and an improvement in general fitness amongst the UK population? The association between being overweight and having type 2 diabetes- which uncontrolled is another risk factor - is also clear.

I have never been convinced by the 'you can be overweight (even obese) and still be healthy' narrtaige pushed by some. As I understand it being overweight, and especially obesity, is a result of social inequality, poor diet, mental health issues and psychological disorders and inactivity. People need help and support not criticism to lead healthier lifestyles, including being a healthy weight, and we can't shy away from the real health risks that being overweight brings because of a 'just be kind', 'anything goes' attitude?

The UK's obesity problem has to part of the reason for our high coronavirus death toll (not taking away from the general ineptitude of this government!)

Some people have clearly taken it as a wakeup call. I've read plenty of people on here say they've decided to lose some weight. Other people seem to take it as a personal insult.
Some people don't seem to realise that the best defence against a virus is a healthy body, specfically a healthy immune system, and the answer to that lies in our own hands. I'd like to see the government give more specific advice here re vit D supplements/safe exposure, a healthy diet and exercise.
And some of the extreme fat activism needs to die a death.

And some of the extreme fat activism needs to die a death.

Agree with this.

Equally blaming and shaming people for being fat won’t necessarily help people lose weight.

A supportive, constructive but honest approach would be a more useful middle ground.

I am about 2 stone overweight since the birth of my last child. I have been trying to lose the weight ever since (2.5 years later!)

I'm motivated by wanting to be fit and healthy, a good role model for my children ( by exercising and eating healthily) and not wanting to have t2 diabeties.

Despite all of these motivators, I've not achieved it. Why? Many reasons but with young children and working in a demanding job my health and weight has been the lowest priority. Finding time to exercise and prep food is hard. Despite sticking to a low carb high intensity exercise plan for months the weight never shifted. Sleep deprivation is a real killer of weight loss!

So I will try again with renewed effort but know it will be hard. I think people who have not been overweight can often simplify the issue and not understand why it can be difficult for those who are.

I agree. I was so unhappy when I carried extra weight. It wasn’t healthy as I felt sluggish and unfit. I don’t agree with tip toeing around it. You can say “it’s not desirable to be overweight” and if someone takes that to mean they are a bad person then that’s their problem not mine.