During the past year, we have learned that COVID-19 is much more lethal for older people and those with comorbidities. Among the most widespread comorbidities are obesity and diabetes associated with obesity.
Unlike smoking, where public understanding of the risks has resulted in a broad decline in smoking, the public has not responded to repeated warnings by government and the medical community of the health risks of obesity. The CDC reports that the prevalence of obesity, a “common, serious and costly disease” in the United States, is 42.4 percent.
COVID is cruelly raising the ante for those who have ignored the warnings of the health risks associated with obesity. Importantly, social acceptance and soft-pedaling of the risks of obesity via new vernacular to describe obesity in a positive manner (heavyset, full-figured, curvy, etc.) does a severe disservice to those who now face a very real mortal risk.
Common sense suggests government and health authorities should incorporate the higher mortality risk of COVID-19 for obese people into its policies and public communications, incentivizing Americans to once and for all address the epidemic of obesity and diabetes while simultaneously reducing COVID-related deaths.
