Researchers found that, at the end of 2020, Covid-19’s overall death rates were more than 10 times higher in countries where more than half of adults are overweight, compared to countries where less than half are overweight .
The team examined mortality data from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and found that of the 2.5 million Covid-19 deaths reported by the end of February, 2.2 million occurred in countries where more than half of the population is overweight.
In an analysis of data and studies from more than 160 countries, the researchers found that the death rates of Covid-19 increased along with the prevalence of obesity in the countries. They note that the link persisted even after adjusting for age and national wealth.
The report found that all countries where less than 40% of the population was overweight had a low Covid-19 mortality rate of no more than 10 people per 100,000.
But in countries where more than 50% of the population was overweight, Covid-19’s death rate was much higher – more than 100 per 100,000.
The researchers say that being overweight can also worsen other health problems and viral infections, such as H1N1, influenza and respiratory syndrome in the Middle East.
The World Obesity Forum suggests prioritizing people living with obesity for Covid-19 testing and vaccination.
“An overweight population is an unhealthy population and a pandemic waiting to happen,” writes the group.
In the United States, about three-quarters of the population is overweight or obese, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.