According to a new study published in the journal The Lancet, obesity increases the risk of hospitalization and death due to infectious diseases by 70%. An analysis of data from over 500,000 individuals showed that excess weight significantly worsens the course of illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections, and COVID-19.
Scientists have determined that one in every ten deaths caused by infections worldwide is directly linked to obesity. This means that out of the 5.4 million people who die annually from infectious diseases, approximately 600,000 cases are associated with excess weight.
Study Results
The study demonstrated a clear correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) and the severity of infectious diseases. The data confirms that the level of risk increases in direct proportion to weight gain. The higher a person’s BMI, the more likely it is that any infection will lead to hospitalization or a fatal outcome. These findings suggest that excess weight creates an additional barrier for the body in the process of fighting pathogens.
Obesity-related infectious mortality rates vary significantly by country, reflecting cultural differences in lifestyle and diet. For example, in the UK, one in six infection-related deaths is linked to obesity, while in the United States, this figure is even higher, accounting for a quarter (1/4) of the total mortality. In contrast, the data from Vietnam is particularly noteworthy, where obesity’s share in infectious mortality is minimal, at only 1.2%.
Recommendations
Obesity likely weakens the immune system’s ability to protect the body from bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. This hypothesis is supported by clinical trials of GLP-1 class weight-loss drugs, which have shown that the risk of severe infections decreases as weight is lost.
Scientists emphasize that, given the rising rates of obesity, state policies encouraging healthy eating and physical activity are essential. For individuals with excess weight, adhering to a timely vaccination schedule is particularly important to prevent potential complications.
