Obese people have a 70% higher risk of hospitalisation and death from infectious diseases. This is evidenced by the results of a large-scale study published in the journal Lancet.
A large-scale study: who was analysed
The study, published in the Lancet journal, included data from 537,000 adults from the UK and Finland. According to the lead author, Mika Kiwimaki, The participants were followed for an average of 13-14 years, which allowed us to draw reliable conclusions about the impact of obesity on the risk of infectious diseases.
The researchers focused on adults with a body mass index of 30 and above, comparing their hospitalisation and mortality rates from various infections - influenza, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, COVID-19 and others.
Key findings: risks and scope
According to the results, obese people are 70% more likely to be admitted to hospital and die from infectious diseases. It has been found that obesity can cause 11% of all deaths from infections in the world, which is about 600,000 out of 5.4 million cases annually.
The risk increases with increasing body weight. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was obese people who had a higher risk of severe complications and mortality, although there was no conclusive evidence of such a link.
Geographical differences: from the UK to Vietnam
The chances of dying from obesity-related infectious diseases vary significantly from country to country. In the UK, obesity is associated with about one in six deaths from infections, and in the US - one in four. The lowest rate was recorded in Vietnam - only 1.2%. The researchers emphasise that these differences may be related to diet, lifestyle and the prevalence of overweight in different regions.
Possible mechanisms and recommendations
According to Mika Kiwimaki, Obesity is likely to weaken the immune system, which reduces the body's defences against infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. Data from clinical trials of GLP-1 weight loss medications suggest that weight loss may reduce the risk of serious infections.
At the same time, the researchers emphasise the need for more research to clarify the exact mechanisms of the link between obesity and infections. It is also known that being overweight is associated with other health risks, including an increased risk of dementia.
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