A new discovery has led the whole world to a better understanding of the formation and evolution of COVID-19, as well as its most targeted victims. According to scientists, worldwide, obese and overweight people are at high risk of developing severe complications if getting infected with the novel COVID-19. The discovery is still undergoing a number of tests, but there are already a couple of theories that could explain the authenticity of the affirmation.
Fat means strain
Obesity is responsible for fat accumulating in vital organs, such as the heart, leading to higher blood pressure. Therefore obesity is strongly linked to other severe health conditions, like for example, diabetes, dysfunctional kidneys of the liver, or a weaker heart. In addition to this, obesity can also affect the wellbeing of the respiratory system.
According to Susan Jebb, professor of diet at Oxford University, obesity is a disease that affects almost every organ system of the body. Therefore, it might not be surprising to hear that it is a crucial factor in the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.
Fatty tissue
One of the essential components of the fatty tissue is ACE2, the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which plays a leading role in the transmission of COVID-19 into cells. Consequently, people having higher levels of ACE2 are likely to get infected more manageable with the novel COVID-19, given the fact that ACE2 is present not only in various tissues but also in each human’s blood.
A clash of two pandemics
Francesco Rubino, chair of metabolic and bariatric surgery at King’s College London and expert on obesity, declared that the link between COVID-19 and obesity is a clash of two pandemics. According to him, the ongoing epidemic triggers an alarm sign that obesity is a disease, and it should be taken care of with more consideration.
