CNN Finally Admits That Obesity Is a Contributing Factor in COVID Outcomes

[Elderberry]

Legal Insurrection by Leslie Eastman January 4, 2022

CNN mocked for being one of the last to notice the connection.

During the COVID pandemic, I often stressed the role of obesity in poor COVID outcomes:

•   Sweetgreen CEO Smeared as ‘Fat-Phobic’ for Stating Truth: Obesity Increases COVID-19 Risks

•   Studies: Obesity perhaps the most important risk factor for COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths

•   Obesity and vitamin deficiency playing an important role in COVID outcomes

As early as March 1, 2020, I urged people to “Take vitamins, drink plenty of water, and start a sensible exercise regimen,” understanding that healthier weights would likely lead to better COVID outcomes.

Only now is one “mainstream” media outlet addressing the issue. CNN Health just published an article discussing how overweight people are at a much higher risk of serious COVID. The article featured information on a new study that suggests that losing weight can reduce that risk.

A large retrospective study published last week in JAMA Surgery suggests that substantial weight loss makes a difference.

The study, looking at records from 20,212 people for more than six years, was funded by a grant from Medtronic, which makes devices for weight loss surgery.

The rates of positive Covid-19 tests were similar in the surgical and control groups: 9.1% and 8.7%, respectively. The weight loss among the group that had surgery was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization, need for supplemental oxygen and severe symptoms from a Covid-19 infection. This patient group also had a 53% lower 10-year cumulative incidence of all-cause non-Covid mortality, compared with the control group.

More: https://legalinsurrection.com/2022/01/cnn-finally-admits-that-obesity-is-a-contributing-factor-in-covid-outcomes/

[mountaineer]

BDW
@BryanDeanWright
9m
At Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, this doctor says he’s seen a spike in admissions of kids with COVID. They’re overwhelmingly obese.

4:01 PM · Jan 4, 2022·

[Hoodat]

If only journalists could be sued for malpractice.

[Smokin Joe]

So CNN has failed for two years to see the 800 lb...

[Kamaji]

One wonders why obesity, by itself, is such a significant contributor to adverse outcomes.

[berdie]

One wonders why obesity, by itself, is such a significant contributor to adverse outcomes.

You beat me to the question, lol. Why is that a factor?

[Elderberry]

Obesity prolongs the hospital stay in patients affected by COVID-19, and may impact on SARS-COV-2 shedding

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871403X20304014

Highlights
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Subjects with obesity affected by COVID-19 require longer hospitalization compared to subjects without obesity.
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Subjects with obesity require more time to clear from SARS-COV-2 shedding compared to subjects without obesity.
•
Subjects with obesity affected by COVID-19 have higher inflammatory markers compared to subjects without obesity.

Factors Associated with Increased Morbidity and Mortality of Obese and Overweight COVID-19 Patients

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/9/9/280

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are defined as an unnecessary accumulation of fat, which poses a risk to health. It is a well-identified risk factor for increased mortality due to heightened rates of heart disease, certain cancers, musculoskeletal disorders, and bacterial, protozoan and viral infections. The increasing prevalence of obesity is of concern, as conventional pathogenesis may indeed be increased in obese hosts rather than healthy hosts, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is a new disease and we do not have the luxury of cumulative data. Obesity activates the development of gene induced hypoxia and adipogenesis in obese animals. Several factors can influence obesity, for example, stress can increase the body weight by allowing people to consume high amounts of food with a higher propensity to consume palatable food. Obesity is a risk factor for the development of immune-mediated and some inflammatory-mediated diseases, including atherosclerosis and psoriasis, leading to a dampened immune response to infectious agents, leading to weaker post-infection impacts. Moreover, the obese host creates a special microenvironment for disease pathogenesis, marked by persistent low-grade inflammation. Therefore, it is advisable to sustain healthy eating habits by increasing the consumption of various plant-based and low-fat foods to protect our bodies and decrease the risk of infectious diseases, especially COVID-19.