Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #77

[CSIDreamer]

A study from the University of North Carolina about obesity and Covid from UNC Communications, Wednesday, August 26th, 2020:
Obesity linked with higher risk for COVID-19 complications | UNC-Chapel Hill

Obesity linked with higher risk for COVID-19 complications

A review of COVID-19 studies reveals a troubling connection between two health crises: coronavirus and obesity.

From COVID-19 risk to recovery, the odds are stacked against those with obesity, and a new study led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill raises concerns about the impact of obesity on the effectiveness of a future COVID-19 vaccine.

Researchers examined the available published literature on individuals infected with the virus and found that those with obesity (BMI over 30) were at a greatly increased risk for hospitalization (113%), more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (74%), and had a higher risk of death (48%) from the virus.

A team of researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, including lead author Barry Popkin, a professor in the Department of Nutrition and member of the Carolina Population Center, collaborated with senior author Meera Shekar, a World Bank health and nutrition specialist, on the paper published in Obesity Reviews. [Note: link provided at end of this post]

For the paper, researchers reviewed immunological and biomedical data to provide a detailed layout of the mechanisms and pathways that link obesity with increased risk of COVID-19 as well as an increased likelihood of developing more severe complications from the virus.

Obesity is already associated with numerous underlying risk factors for COVID-19, including hypertension, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney and liver disease.

Metabolic changes caused by obesity — such as insulin resistance and inflammation – make it difficult for individuals with obesity to fight some infections, a trend that can be seen in other infectious diseases, such as influenza and hepatitis.

During times of infection, uncontrolled serum glucose, which is common in individuals with hyperglycemia, can impair immune cell function.

“All of these factors can influence immune cell metabolism, which determines how bodies respond to pathogens, like the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus,” said co-author Melinda Beck, professor of nutrition at Gillings School of Global Public Health. “Individuals with obesity are also more likely to experience physical ailments that make fighting this disease harder, such as sleep apnea, which increases pulmonary hypertension, or a body mass index that increases difficulties in a hospital setting with intubation.”

Previous work by Beck and others has demonstrated that the influenza vaccine is less effective in adults with obesity. The same may be true for a future SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, said Beck.

“However, we are not saying that the vaccine will be ineffective in populations with obesity, but rather that obesity should be considered as a modifying factor to be considered for vaccine testing,” she said. “Even a less protective vaccine will still offer some level of immunity.”

Roughly 40% of Americans are obese and the pandemic’s resulting lockdown has led to a number of conditions that make it harder for individuals to achieve or sustain a healthy weight.

Working from home, limiting social visits and a reduction in everyday activities — all in an effort to stop the spread of the virus — means we’re moving less than ever, said Popkin.

The ability to access healthy foods has also taken a hit. Economic hardships put those who are already food insecure at further risk, making them more vulnerable to conditions that can arise from consuming unhealthy foods.

“We’re not only at home more and experience more stress due to the pandemic, but we’re also not visiting the grocery store as often, which means the demand for highly processed junk foods and sugary beverages that are less expensive and more shelf-stable has increased,” he said. “These cheap, highly processed foods are high in sugar, sodium and saturated fat and laden with highly refined carbohydrates, which all increase the risk of not only excess weight gain but also key noncommunicable diseases.”

(More at link.)

>>Link to the published paper in Obesity Reviews:
Individuals with obesity and COVID‐19: A global perspective on the epidemiology and biological relationships

Thanks for posting this. I just was listing some co morbidities from memory.

 

[Clair Louise]

I just think they didn't know enough about the virus to know who to shield. Which is elderly, obese, diabetics, and hypertension patients among a few other cmorbidities.

I cannot agree with that. Other countries have managed it a lot better with the same knowledge.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I let loose with a hysterical scream at my husband back in March. He's lost 80 lb.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I cannot agree with that. Other countries have managed it a lot better with the same knowledge.

Well i can because its my rather informed opinion.

 

[MimosaMornings]

I let loose with a hysterical scream at my husband back in March. He's lost 80 lb.

Wow. Good for him!

 

[Clair Louise]

Well i can because its my rather informed opinion.

Do you mean other countries had more knowledge than the UK and US?

 

[musicaljoke]

Coronavirus outbreak at Maine church prompts investigation by state CDC — Fox News

“I went to the wedding. I officiated the wedding. It was a beautiful wedding," Bell told the congregation Sunday, according to the news outlet's report. "Six families from our church went there. We never expected to get COVID. Nobody expected to experience the things that happened because you went to a beautiful thing like that.”

No masks.
No social distancing.
Indoors.
70+ people
Weddings and receptions are exempt from Covid.

Really?
It boggles my mind.
(Maybe there needs to be required Covid classes for churches?)
What did they expect to happen during a pandemic?

Weddings are private affairs that rent churches. But, I agree, that church leaders need to take more responsibility for making certain that the use of their facilities complies with all public health regulations.

Our church decided not to rent out the building during the pandemic, since it's difficult to police outside activities, or clean up safely afterwards.

 

[Knitty]

I have to tell you - that is just depressing. Should I start my serious weight loss regime now or once I've finished this beautiful bag of peanut M&M's I'm munching on while working?

Depends. Is it the Party Size Bag? Can't waste that!

 

[anneg]

I let loose with a hysterical scream at my husband back in March. He's lost 80 lb.

Wow! That's a fast weight loss. If he still has a gall bladder, watch out for possible gallstones.

 

[MimosaMornings]

Weddings are private affairs that rent churches. But, I agree, that church leaders need to take more responsibility for making certain that the use of their facilities complies with all public health regulations.

Our church decided not to rent out the building during the pandemic, since it's difficult to police outside activities, or clean up safely afterwards.

I apologize if that came across as just singling out churches I should have added that all venues that are available for rent for any type of event. That he would make that statement surprised me. Until I read subsequent articles on his stance - doubtful education and death of members will change his mindset. So sad.

Sanford church linked to Millinocket wedding holds Sunday services after outbreak
The pastor speaks....

“It is our right before almighty God to meet, to hear preaching, to pray together, to worship the King together. It's our God-given right to do that., That's the truth I'm not going to sit around and be coward around and fall prey.”
——
Multiple services, vacation bible school?
A plane trip?!

 

[CSIDreamer]

Wow! That's a fast weight loss. If he still has a gall bladder, watch out for possible gallstones.

I don't think he does. But I'll keep an eye on that. Thanks!

 

[Rocco]

I have to tell you - that is just depressing. Should I start my serious weight loss regime now or once I've finished this beautiful bag of peanut M&M's I'm munching on while working?

Start now----and send the rest of those peanut M&Ms to me. Include any other extra chocolate you might have on hand that would impede your weight loss. I'm here to help.

 

[ilovewings]

Coronavirus outbreak at Maine church prompts investigation by state CDC — Fox News

“I went to the wedding. I officiated the wedding. It was a beautiful wedding," Bell told the congregation Sunday, according to the news outlet's report. "Six families from our church went there. We never expected to get COVID. Nobody expected to experience the things that happened because you went to a beautiful thing like that.”

No masks.
No social distancing.
Indoors.
70+ people
Weddings and receptions are exempt from Covid.

Really?
It boggles my mind.
(Maybe there needs to be required Covid classes for churches?)
What did they expect to happen during a pandemic?

All you can do is shake your head in wonderment at the total ignorance and stupidity
"nobody expected to experience the things that happened because you went to a beautiful thing like that"-- all i can say is DUH!!!!!

 

[ilovewings]

I let loose with a hysterical scream at my husband back in March. He's lost 80 lb.

Whatever it takes!!!!!

 

[ilovewings]

Today I went to Henry Ford Hospital outpatient department for a medical issue. The medical assistant told me as we were chitty chatting that she had Covid in March. That made me kinda nervous-- However, I figure she must have been tested and okay or she wouldn't be working in this medical office. I am also supposed to go to physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction issues and i am kinda nervous about doing that. Not sure I am comfortable doing that.

 

[Sundog]

I let loose with a hysterical scream at my husband back in March. He's lost 80 lb.

Congratulations, he must feel fantastic. In March when the pandemic hit, I decided that I was high risk for COVID due to my weight, and so I started on a weight loss plan to lose 2 1/2 pounds a week, and so far have lost 50 pounds. I have ten pounds to go and then the challenge of maintenance. I gave up most sugar and carbs, and eat something every three hours and try not to let myself miss these small healthy snacks/meals, otherwise I would get too hungry and it would be difficult to follow the plan. I used to work long days and nights at the office and be starved when I left work and eat too much. Now that I am working remotely, I am more in control of my daily schedule and so this was a good time to do it. My motivation was mostly that I was at high risk from COVID due to weight, and I wanted to increase my chances of survival of I got COVID. I am also hoping to eventually be able to get off hypertension medication.

 

[10ofRods]

I have to tell you - that is just depressing. Should I start my serious weight loss regime now or once I've finished this beautiful bag of peanut M&M's I'm munching on while working?

Most of us have work to do in this area - although I will say I've lost weight during CoVid, I still have a long way to go to acquire better eating habits - my early depression and lack of appetite is giving way to bad eating and having to force myself to exercise.

At any rate, many of us are at risk in the US and UK, despite our good healthcare systems, due to obesity. Diabetes without obesity is also a thing, as is heart disease and high blood pressure, but overweight and obesity definitely make those things worse We all knew this, but now CoVid is making it clear - overweight is a health issue.

 

[ilovewings]

Today I went to Henry Ford Hospital outpatient department for a medical issue. The medical assistant told me as we were chitty chatting that she had Covid in March. That made me kinda nervous-- However, I figure she must have been tested and okay or she wouldn't be working in this medical office. I am also supposed to go to physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction issues and i am kinda nervous about doing that. Not sure I am comfortable doing that.

Here's the other thing: the assistant wanted to take my temp by putting a thermometer under my tongue- i said - -NO THANKS - she was pleasant and didn't push it- i told her they took my temp when I walked into the hospital- and i thought she should use a no touch thermometer- I suggested in a time of Covid a thermometer under the tongue was not a great idea!!!

 

[anneg]

Here's the other thing: the assistant wanted to take my temp by putting a thermometer under my tongue- i said - -NO THANKS - she was pleasant and didn't push it- i told her they took my temp when I walked into the hospital- and i thought she should use a no touch thermometer- I suggested in a time of Covid a thermometer under the tongue was not a great idea!!!

I believe my doctor's office puts a disposable sleeve on the thermometer before putting it in my mouth. But I haven't been in the office since before Covid so they may have switched to no touch thermometers.

 

[ilovewings]

I believe my doctor's office puts a disposable sleeve on the thermometer before putting it in my mouth. But I haven't been in the office since before Covid so they may have switched to no touch thermometers.

i didn't see a sleeve on this one