Our Knowledge of coronavirus is constantly changing, this is due to the fact that Covid 19 is only at this point in time only 5 months old, and research takes a while to gather and peer review in order to maintain quality of information.
However recently it has become apparent (although not conclusive) that not only does SARS-ncov-19 has a greater effect on obese people (33% death) than most underlying health conditions that you would logically think would be more problematic to the bodies ability to fight COVID-19, such as pulmonary lung decease.
But why is this?
The more overweight you are, the more fat you’re carrying, the less fit you are and the lower your lung capacity. This means it is a bigger struggle to get oxygen into the blood and around the body. This impacts on the heart and blood flow too. Because people are more overweight, they also have a demand for more oxygen. So that means their system is actually undergoing greater pressure. Eventually, the obese body becomes overwhelmed by the lack of oxygen getting to the major organs
Obesity has an impact on general breathing, restricting oxygen intake causing snoring and in extreme cases sleep apnoea. Furthermore, inflammation in the body may also potentially affect oxygen consumption but until further research, we do not know.
There is an enzyme called ACE2, present in cells is the main way for the virus to enter the body (although more evidence is needed). This is further exacerbated by inflammation in the body. That’s due to inflammation-driven by immune cells called macrophages which invade our fat tissue. They interfere with how our cells respond to infection.
According to scientists, this can lead to a ‘cytokine storm’ – a potentially life-threatening over-reaction of the body’s immune system which causes inflammation and serious harm. Higher levels of this molecule are thought to be found in adipose tissue, or fatty tissue, which people who are obese have more of – under the skin and around their organs.
That could be one reason they have a higher risk of catching the disease and a higher risk of being ill with it.
Also, obesity is linked and associated with other complications that lead one to be either be immune-compromised or make you risk of dying from the Wuhan virus, such as diabetes to which type 2 is almost solely obesity-related. However, because of this fact, we have to take all information about weather obesity affects Covid-19 with critical scepticism until more information comes apparent.
However, being healthy and exercising can be good for your not only cardio-respiratory and physical health but for mental wellbeing too.
#runright #stayathometogeather #alonetogeather
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References
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Caussy et al 2020 Prevalence of obesity among adult inpatients with COVID-19 in France
Kass et al (2020) Obesity could shift severe COVID-19 disease to younger ages
Arab (2020), It’s time we were honest about obesity and Covid-19
BBC (2020). Coronavirus: Does being overweight or obese affect how ill people get?
