Obesity

A complex disease characterised by an excessive amount of body fat.

There are many reasons for some people being or becoming morbidly obese or overweight.  There are genetic, behavioural, metabolic, and hormonal factors that influence body weight. Most often obesity occurs when more calories are taken in by eating than burned off through exercise and normal daily activities. The body stores these excess calories as fat.

Obesity increases a person’s risk of other diseases and health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.

Obesity increases a person’s risk of becoming severely ill if they become infected with SARS-CoV-2. One estimate, published in Nature, suggested obese people are up to six times more likely to require hospitalisation if they get COVID-19 disease.

Categories:

Infectious Disease

Cross-reference:

ComorbidityNatureHigh Risk GroupSARS-CoV-2COVID-19