Studies show obesity is a risk factor for serious complications or death from the virus, as are other lifestyle-related diseases.
People who are obese or overweight are at higher risk of death or severe illness from COVID-19, according to Public Health England.
Almost 63% of adults in England are overweight or obese, meaning they have a body mass index of 25 to 29.9 or over 30 . PHE says that the risk of death increases by 40% for someone with a BMI between 30 and 35 and by 90% for those with a BMI over 40, when compared to those of a healthy weight. The report also said being overweight or obese increases the chance somebody will end up critically ill in intensive care, with 7.9% of critically ill COVID-19 patients in intensive care units having a BMI over 40 compared with 2.9% of the general population.
Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said:"The current evidence is clear that being overweight or obese puts you at greater risk of serious illness or death from
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