Doctors concerned about deadly COVID-19 risk factor

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Doctors say obesity is moving up the list as one of the top risk factors for COVID-19.

Part of the reason, said Alvin Tran, an assistant professor at the University of New Haven, is obese people have existing inflammation circulating in their system.

“Based on what we know with regards to obesity and other chronic illnesses, individuals with obesity tend to have low-grade levels of inflammation,” Tran said in an interview with News 8. “But the question that remains unanswered is: Is it because of this particular existing inflammation that causes severe outcomes that obese people end up getting COVID-19?”

Based on a recent report published in Obesity Reviews, the answer could be yes.

An international team of researchers upwards of 400,000 COVID-19 patients and found people who were obese and contracted the virus were 113% more likely to be hospitalized, 74% more likely to be admitted to an ICU and 46% more likely to die.

Obesity is considered a disease. But according to the American College of Sports Medicine, it’s not about a number on the scale or even a person’s body fat percentage. Obesity is measured by using a tape measure and calculating what’s known as a body mass index (BMI).

“When it comes to large studies, BMI does provide a very good indication of where people stand in terms of their fat content, their fat composition and whether it’s associated with different health outcomes.” said Tran.

According to the latest data, 65% of Indiana residents are considered overweight or obese.

To calculate your BMI, click on this link

News 8’s medical reporter, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Gillis, D.Ed., is a classically trained medical physiologist and biobehavioral research scientist. She has been a health, medical and science reporter for over 5 years. Her work has been featured in national media outlets. You can follow her on Instagram @reportergillis and Facebook @DrMaryGillis.