tresir2012
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Does obesity increase the risk of coronavirus?
This report explains why certain people are at risk of dying of coronavirus. Very interesting. Some I knew already some I didn't.
"Given high rates of global obesity, the World Obesity Federation says a high percentage of people who contract coronavirus "will also have a BMI over 25". Early studies from the US, Italy and China also suggest it is an important risk factor.
Ageing, being a man and underlying health issues all increase the risk of becoming more seriously ill from Covid-19.
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," says Prof Naveed Sattar, from the University of Glasgow.
During an infection like coronavirus, this can be serious.
"Eventually the obese body becomes overwhelmed by the lack of oxygen getting to the major organs," says Dr Dyan Sellayah, from the University of Reading.
That is one reason why overweight and obese people in intensive care are more likely to need assistance with breathing and support with kidney function.
What role do fat cells play?
Scientists have discovered that an enzyme called ACE2, present in cells, is the main way for the virus to enter the body.
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.
Is the immune system affected too?
On top of everything else, the ability of the body to fight off the virus - known as the immune response - is not as good in people who are obese.
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.
A specific type of fat tissue is prone to macrophage invasion. This may explain why people from black, African and ethnic minority backgrounds (BAME), who have more of this type of tissue, "have elevated rates of diabetes, and may be more vulnerable to the virus," Dr Sellayah says.
This report explains why certain people are at risk of dying of coronavirus. Very interesting. Some I knew already some I didn't.
"Given high rates of global obesity, the World Obesity Federation says a high percentage of people who contract coronavirus "will also have a BMI over 25". Early studies from the US, Italy and China also suggest it is an important risk factor.
Ageing, being a man and underlying health issues all increase the risk of becoming more seriously ill from Covid-19.
- A SIMPLE GUIDE: How do I protect myself?
- AVOIDING CONTACT: The rules on self-isolation and exercise
- HOPE AND LOSS: Your coronavirus stories
- LOOK-UP TOOL: Check cases in your area
- STRESS: How to look after your mental health
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," says Prof Naveed Sattar, from the University of Glasgow.
During an infection like coronavirus, this can be serious.
"Eventually the obese body becomes overwhelmed by the lack of oxygen getting to the major organs," says Dr Dyan Sellayah, from the University of Reading.
That is one reason why overweight and obese people in intensive care are more likely to need assistance with breathing and support with kidney function.
What role do fat cells play?
Scientists have discovered that an enzyme called ACE2, present in cells, is the main way for the virus to enter the body.
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.
Is the immune system affected too?
On top of everything else, the ability of the body to fight off the virus - known as the immune response - is not as good in people who are obese.
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.
A specific type of fat tissue is prone to macrophage invasion. This may explain why people from black, African and ethnic minority backgrounds (BAME), who have more of this type of tissue, "have elevated rates of diabetes, and may be more vulnerable to the virus," Dr Sellayah says.
