Obesity could trigger COVID 19 Death: Public Health England

The Public Health England data showed that for people with a Body Mass Index of 30-35, risk of death from COVID 19 increased by at least 40% and if that BMI is above 40, the risk of death increased by 90%, as compared to those of a healthy weight.

This data has prompted the government to pledge that it will take on the issue of obesity head-on from now onwards. The British PM has expressed this resolve.

Citizens with a BMI of over 30 have been classified as obese under the system and as per this classification, almost 63% of adults in England are overweight or obese. It is not only that the risk increases for COVID 19 infection but obesity increases the risk of death from many other life-threatening diseases.

In order to ensure that people start taking the problem of obesity seriously, the government has decided to come out with restrictions on unhealthy foods very soon.

Public Health England

It is an executive agency under the Department of Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom Government. It started operating from April 1, 2013. The formation was necessitated by the reorganization of the National Health Service in England outlined in the Health and Social Care Act 2012. This has been identified as the Health Protection Agency, the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse for many other health bodies.

Body Mass Index

It is derived from the mass and height of a person. It is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height and is expressed in units of kg/m². This can be determined using a table or chart which displays BMI as a function of mass and height of various persons.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2020