Obesity and COVID-19: Correlation vs. Causation: While obesity is linked to a higher number of COVID-19 deaths, it's not definitively proven to cause them. Further research is needed to understand the relationship.
While there is a correlation between high obesity rates and a large number of COVID-19 deaths, it is not definitively proven that obesity causes COVID-19 deaths. According to a report from the World Health Organization, 90% of COVID-19 deaths have occurred in countries with high obesity rates. However, the Winton professor of the public understanding of risk at the University of Cambridge, David Spiegelhalter, cautions against jumping to conclusions. He points out that correlation does not necessarily mean causation. While obesity may weaken the immune system and make individuals more susceptible to COVID-19, other factors such as age and underlying health conditions also play a role. It's important to remember that correlation does not equal causation, and further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between obesity and COVID-19 deaths. In the meantime, taking steps to maintain a healthy weight through personalized weight loss plans like Noom, and seeking medical advice from professionals like those at PlushCare, can be beneficial for overall health and well-being.
Obesity increases COVID-19 death risk, age is the biggest factor: Obesity significantly raises COVID-19 death risk, especially for younger individuals, but age is the primary determinant of mortality.
Obesity significantly increases the risk of death if you contract COVID-19, but its impact on the risk of catching the virus is minimal. Age is the most significant factor in determining the risk of death from COVID-19, with the risk doubling approximately every 7 years. Obesity, specifically class 2 obesity, which implies a body mass index (BMI) of 35-40 and a weight of around 17 stone (101 kg) for a 5 foot 9 person, increases the risk of death from COVID-19 by six times for someone at 30 years old and three times for someone at 50. However, the risk increase for someone who is 70 years old is only 50%. Therefore, while there is a substantial relative risk for younger individuals, the risk increase is less significant for older populations.
Obesity's Impact on Mortality Rates Varies by Age and Population: Obesity increases relative risk of mortality, but its impact on overall mortality rates depends on a population's age structure. Countries with younger populations and low obesity rates have lower mortality rates, while older populations with higher obesity rates have higher mortality rates.
Obesity significantly raises the relative risk of mortality, particularly for younger adults. For instance, a 30-year-old with obesity has the risk of a 47-year-old man without obesity. However, the absolute risk for these groups remains relatively low. The impact of obesity on mortality rates is less pronounced for older adults, who already have higher absolute risks. This analysis, which split countries into two groups based on obesity levels and mortality rates, revealed that countries with low obesity and very low mortality rates are primarily located in Africa and Asia. These countries have a significantly younger population structure, with fewer people aged 65 and above. Looking at the report as a whole, it's essential to consider the age structure of a population when examining the relationship between obesity and mortality rates. Countries with older populations, such as many European nations and Japan, will have higher mortality rates overall, making it more challenging to discern the specific effect of obesity. In conclusion, while obesity does increase the relative risk of mortality, its impact on overall mortality rates is less significant when considering the age structure of a population. The report's findings highlight the importance of addressing obesity as a public health issue, but also emphasize the need to consider a country's demographic makeup when interpreting mortality data.
Obesity's role in COVID-19 deaths is complex: Obesity's impact on COVID-19 deaths is influenced by the number of cases and infection control measures. Reducing obesity rates could save around 80,000 lives, but it's essential to consider the interconnectedness of various health factors.
While obesity is a significant factor in COVID-19 deaths, it doesn't tell the whole story. Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter pointed out that the attention given to the correlation between obesity and COVID-19 deaths might be misleading, as the number of deaths is also influenced by the number of cases and infection control measures. If we could wave a magic wand and make obesity rates zero globally, Stuart McDonald calculated that approximately 80,000 lives could have been saved. However, obesity is linked to other health conditions like diabetes, so it's essential to consider the interconnectedness of various health factors when analyzing the impact of COVID-19.
Understanding the limits of health interventions: Despite the potential benefits of addressing obesity, it wouldn't have prevented 90% of COVID-19 deaths. Flexible insurance options, like UnitedHealthcare's Health ProtectorGuard, can help manage costs.
While addressing obesity could have saved lives, it would not have come close to preventing 90% of COVID-19 deaths. Even with magical weight loss powers applied to the entire globe, the reduction in deaths would have been approximately 7%. It's essential to understand the limitations of what we can achieve through health interventions, no matter how transformative they may seem. Flexibility in insurance coverage, on the other hand, can provide significant benefits. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Plans offer flexible, budget-friendly options for medical, vision, dental, and more. Their Health ProtectorGuard fixed indemnity insurance plans supplement primary insurance, helping manage out-of-pocket costs without usual requirements and restrictions. Being a little extra when it comes to health care can pay off.
The truth about obesity and Covid 19
Recent Episodes from More or Less: Behind the Stats
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Speaking on the “Thought for the Day” slot, Reverend Lucy Winkett said that around 85% of the world's population practice a religion.
Is this true? We speak to Conrad Hackett, from the Pew Research Center, and the person whose research is the source for the claim.
Presenter: Tim Harford Producer: Natasha Fernandes Series producer: Tom Colls Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison Sound mix: Nigel Appleton Editor: Richard Vadon
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Presenter: Tim Harford Producer: Beth Ashmead Latham Series producer: Tom Colls Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison Sound mix: Nigel Appleton Editor: Richard Vadon
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Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news.
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Tim Harford looks at some of the numbers in the news.
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Where have Cuba’s people gone?
The Cuban government has announced that their population has fallen by 10% in two years – just days after a demographer on the Caribbean island suggested an even bigger fall.
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Canadian psychologist and culture war commentator Jordan Peterson says planet Earth has got 20% greener in the last 20 years.
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Episode 235: PBS #224: The Case of TYRE NICHOLS w/DR SANFORD RICHMOND + Epidemiologist DR FLO
January 30, 2023 For this edition of PSYCHOTIC BUMP SCHOOL, DJ ROME welcomes back a college professor & an infectious disease specialist.
PARTS 1 & 2 : California professor of Cultural Studies DR SANFORD RICHMOND returns for a systemic and racially-sensitive analysis of the tragic case of Sacramento-to-Memphis transplant TYRE NICHOLS who died in the hospital three days after a violent encounter with the SCORPION unit of the Memphis PD. And our discussion with DR RICHMOND concludes with a look at the latest casualty to emerge in the wake of the STAY-WOKE movement championed by Governor Ron DeSantis upon his decision to deny the teaching of an Advanced Placement African American History course in the state of Florida.
PARTS 2 & 3: California Epidemiologist & Infectious Disease expert DR FLOJUANE COFER (a/k/a DR FLO) returns for critical updates from the scientific community upon the three year anniversary of COVID-19.
Destroying myths, giving the facts, a great episode,,,so press PLAY and ENJOY
{Correction: From Part 2, the case of Breonna Taylor occurred in the state of Kentucky, not Arkansas. The Attorney General mistakenly referred to as "Brandon" is actually Daniel Jay Cameron.}
Covid plasma therapy
Donald Trump says allowing the emergency use of blood plasma therapy for coronavirus patients will save “countless lives” and is “proven to reduce mortality by 35%”. We look at the evidence. Amid talk of coronavirus being back on the rise in the UK, what does the data show? Could screening for breast cancer from the age of 40 save lives? And can it really be true than one in five women in 18th century London made a living selling sex?
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