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SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 08:23 PM Apr 2020

Obesity is major COVID-19 risk factor, says French chief epidemiologist

[link:https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-confinement/obesity-is-major-covid-19-risk-factor-says-french-chief-epidemiologist-idUSKBN21Q0S7?utm_source=reddit.com|

PARIS (Reuters) - Being overweight is a major risk for people infected with the new coronavirus and the United States is particularly vulnerable because of high obesity levels there, France’s chief epidemiologist said on Wednesday.

Professor Jean-François Delfraissy, who heads the scientific council that advises the government on the epidemic, said as many as 17 million of France’s 67 million citizens were seriously at risk from the coronavirus because of age, pre-existing illness or obesity.

“This virus is terrible, it can hit young people, in particular obese young people. Those who are overweight really need to be careful,” Delfraissy told franceinfo radio.

“That is why we’re worried about our friends in America, where the problem of obesity is well known and where they will probably have the most problems because of obesity.”

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Obesity is major COVID-19 risk factor, says French chief epidemiologist (Original Post) SheltieLover Apr 2020 OP
Boy did I ever pick the right year to lose a bunch of weight. Actually about 18 months. brewens Apr 2020 #1
Wow! That is quite an accomplishment. nt Phoenix61 Apr 2020 #3
Good deal! Baked Potato Apr 2020 #4
I feel your hunger pangs. Igel Apr 2020 #7
I know that obesity had been mentioned a while back as a factor. PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2020 #2
It'll take a bit of analysis of variation to sort it out. Igel Apr 2020 #8
I figured there could be a connection since diabetes is a BigmanPigman Apr 2020 #5
I'm in trouble vercetti2021 Apr 2020 #6
Mr. Delfraissy RobinA Apr 2020 #9
I am glad I had weight loss surgery last summer Marrah_Goodman Apr 2020 #10

brewens

(13,393 posts)
1. Boy did I ever pick the right year to lose a bunch of weight. Actually about 18 months.
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 08:25 PM
Apr 2020

I'm down 130 with about 20 to go.

Igel

(35,191 posts)
7. I feel your hunger pangs.
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 09:50 PM
Apr 2020

205 in early last September. 165 now. Just about done, target is 155.

Still prediabetic.

Big worry is that the import of clothing that fits will stop.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,746 posts)
2. I know that obesity had been mentioned a while back as a factor.
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 08:29 PM
Apr 2020

And given how many overweight and obese people there are, I wonder if at least some significant number of deaths in younger people haven't been to those who are seriously overweight or obese.

Igel

(35,191 posts)
8. It'll take a bit of analysis of variation to sort it out.
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 09:52 PM
Apr 2020

When it's all said and done, they're going to need a bunch of information for each death. Job, age, sex, weight, preexisting conditions, etc., etc. Chuck them all into the software and see how much responsibility goes to each.

So many correlations.

BigmanPigman

(51,430 posts)
5. I figured there could be a connection since diabetes is a
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 09:34 PM
Apr 2020

known risk factor for the virus. A lot of people who can't afford to eat a healthy diet and decent healthcare will need to be especially careful.

RobinA

(9,874 posts)
9. Mr. Delfraissy
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 09:55 PM
Apr 2020

should probably mind his own business. When I last looked at the death rate chart, a couple days ago, France’s rate was significantly higher than the U.S.

Marrah_Goodman

(1,586 posts)
10. I am glad I had weight loss surgery last summer
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 09:55 PM
Apr 2020

I am down 75 pounds and off all my diabetes and hbp meds. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

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