The study found that chronically obese people in their 50s were three times more likely to develop a long-term Covid-19 infection than those who were more recently or never obese.
Using data collected from more than 14,000 people born in 1958 and 1970—baby boomers and Gen Xers—who took part in two UK cohort studies, University College London (UCL) researchers found that obesity is associated with earlier age and with frequent over a longer period of time led to worse outcomes for people who contracted the coronavirus.
Evidence for a strong link between obesity and health deterioration due to Covid-19 has already been published, but the research team was able to show that the time of onset of obesity is important, as is the level of obesity during the pandemic. However, they acknowledged that the results were mixed and “often substandard”.
They found that adults in their 60s who were obese throughout their adult lives were more than twice as likely to have long-term Covid as those who were never obese; and were more than four times more likely to be hospitalized with Covid symptoms.
The researchers suggested that people who were previously obese are more likely to have health problems in middle age, which increases the risk of severe Covid-19. Research report published on Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health Web site.
As the World Obesity Federation recently stated that half of the world will be obese by 2035, the researchers said their findings could have serious public health implications, especially in the event of a new pandemic.
lead author Dr. Charis Bridger Staatz of UCL’s Center for Longitudinal Studies said. I: “Research helps uncover potential mechanisms linking obesity to worse Covid-19 outcomes due to ‘slow chronic inflammation’.” The study adds to previous data on the negative effects that prolonged exposure to inflammation can have on health, including the effects of infectious diseases — in particular, this has not been well studied in relation to Covid-19 or long-term Covid.
“Our work highlights the importance of health care throughout life and the fight against obesity from an early age. It is necessary not only to reduce the BMI of people [body mass index] at one point in time to prevent future health problems, but is also critical to reducing the amount of time people are overweight and obese throughout their lives. This is important not only in relation to long-term Covid, but also in other similar conditions.
According to the latest statistics, about three-quarters of UK residents aged 45 to 74 are overweight or obese. Men are more likely to have a BMI measurement than usual than women. One in 10 children is obese by age five, rising to 23 percent by age 11, with disadvantaged children more likely to be obese.
An estimated two million people in the UK (3.1% of the population) reported prolonged Covid as of 2 January, defined as symptoms lasting more than four weeks after the first confirmed or suspected coronavirus infection and otherwise unexplained, possibly in 2023 year. to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.