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Obesity Fuels Deadly Infections: UK Study Warns
10 Feb
Summary
- Obesity increases hospital admission and death risk from infectious diseases.
- Obesity linked to one in 10 infection-related deaths globally.
- Weight loss drugs may offer significant health benefits against infections.
A recent study involving over 540,000 individuals from Finland and the UK highlights a significant link between obesity and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Researchers found that obesity is associated with a 70% higher risk of hospital admission or death from infections, and this connection is not solely due to related chronic conditions.
The research, published in The Lancet, indicated that obesity might weaken the body's immune defences. This can manifest through altered gut microbiomes, reduced lung capacity, and changes in blood flow. The findings suggest that while people with obesity may not contract infections more easily, their recovery is considerably harder.
Globally, obesity was linked to one in 10 infection-related deaths in 2023. Experts are now emphasizing the potential of weight loss drugs, noting that clinical trials show these medications can meaningfully reduce infection-related mortality and improve overall health markers. There is an urgent call for policies to support weight management and public health.
