Hungary became the 4th most obese nation in the world during the quarantine

Obesity is a severe problem. It is now somewhat relegated to the background due to the coronavirus, but obesity also has serious drawbacks in relation to the epidemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Hungarians have gained an average of 3-5 kilograms. Experts are trying to explain the reasons.

According to portfolio.hu, an obese body is less resistant to bacteria and viruses, making it more prone to infection. The infectious disease lasts longer and is more likely to develop a complication than in case of non-obese people.

Obesity poses a serious risk to the outcome of coronavirus disease in both adults and children.

Obese patients are more likely to be hospitalised in the intensive care unit, and the risk of coronavirus death is significantly increased. These are associated with a decrease in respiratory capacity and a deterioration in the immune system. Children in need of intensive care are almost exclusively obese, said Róbert J. Bedros, director general of St. Imre Oktató Hospital.

“There is no organ, organ system, physiological process that is not adversely affected by obesity,”

added Gábor Simonyi, head of the Metabolism Centre of St. Imre Oktató Hospital. For example, both the liver and the immune system work under great strain. Because of this, the body has a harder time coping with the coronavirus. Based on data from 164 countries, death was more frequent in the case of more obese nations. For example, in the United States, where nearly 70 per cent of the population is overweight, there were four times as many coronavirus deaths per 100,000 inhabitants as in Vietnam.

Hungary is the 4th most obese country in the world.

We used to be in 3rd place, but New Zealand took our podium place. One Hungarian person has gained an average of 3-5 kilos since the beginning of the epidemic. Many say obesity is just an aesthetic problem, and they are unaware of its dangers—the WHO has considered obesity a disease for decades. The pandemic has led to an increase in the proportion of young people with eating disorders as well. Due to the closure during the epidemic, we move less and eat more.

It would be important to recognise the problem and the dangers. You can then start a diet with the help of a specialist or doctor. Many places promise quick weight loss and miracle cures, but you shouldn’t fall for these tricks. With proper exercise and a varied diet, you can develop well-being and ideal body weight, writes novekedes.hu.

• No bikini body: Hungarian obesity increased during quarantine
• Hungarian virologists claim that obesity significantly increases the risk of Covid-19 death

Source: novekedes.hu, portfolio.hu