People with obesity are at high risk of severe Covid-19 condition.
Body Mass Index (BMI) can be a measure to identify obesity. The formula to calculate BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. For example, if your body weight is 60 kilograms and your height is 162 centimeters, your BMI will be (60/1.62) / 1.62 = 22.86
Body Mass Index (BMI) | Classification |
less than 18.5 | Underweight |
18.5 - 22.9 | Normal weight |
23.0 - 24.9 | Overweight |
25.0 – 29.9 | Pre-obese |
30.0 -39.9 | Obese |
40.0 | Severe obese |
However, as BMI can point out an overweight condition, BMI alone is not the only validation as people have different fat levels and muscle weight.
Waist measurement
Waist measurement is used to accompanied with BMI calculation. Standard waist size should not exceed half of your height (in centimeter.)
However, the waist measurement and BMI calculation are just primary indicators. Annual health check-ups that include blood pressure and blood sugar level test are recommended to see the whole picture of your health.
Two reasons why overweight and obese people are more vulnerable to Covid-19
1. The fat levels in obese people trigger insulin resistance and chronic inflammation which lead to organ dysfunction and weakened immune system. These factors decrease the ability to fight Covid-19 because our immune system cells are lowered and malfunctioned.
2. Excess fat levels, stored in the abdomen (Visceral Fat), limit the oxygen circulation to the lung which suppress air in the lungs and cause trouble breathing.