The shocking factor behind thousands of COVID deaths

I often talk to you about the health risks of obesity. And I’ve spent practically my entire career trying to teach people that we are what we eat… and that our choices do affect our health, both positively and negatively.   

Of course, that message has stayed in the spotlight throughout this pandemic, because obesity emerged as a lethal risk factor right from the get-go.  

And it’s as devastating now as it was a year ago when you consider that hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 deaths worldwide could have been avoided, if only global obesity rates were lower… 

Obesity just keeps killing  

The World Obesity Federation (WOF) recently released an analysis showing that, of the 2.5 million COVID-19 deaths reported by the end of last month, a whopping 90 percent happened in the countries with the highest rates of obesity.  

And I have to say… I’m not at all surprised. Obesity dramatically raises the odds of suffering COVID-19 complications—including hospitalization, ventilation, and ICU admission.  

Granted, one can argue that more developed nations also have better reporting and testing—so of course, their statistics are going to be higher. But, the WOF made a point of noting that their “findings appear to be independent of these contributory factors.” 

And I don’t doubt it… because it should be pretty clear to everyone by now that what we’re seeing is not a fluke.  

In countries where less than half the adult population is overweight—like Vietnam, for example—the risk of COVID-19 death is a fraction of what it is in fatter countries, like the U.S. and the U.K. (A mere one-tenth, specifically.)  

And speaking of the U.K., get this: The WOF estimates that well over one-third of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.K. are attributed to lack of exercise and obesity. Which means that one-third of the costs—we’re talking between $6 trillion and $7 trillion over the long haul—are directly attributable to people being fat and lazy. 

The time for change is now 

I realize that I may sound a little harsh here. But really, has there ever been a more meaningful opportunity to target a risk factor that we ultimately have total control over?    

Even putting the societal costs of COVID-19 aside, obesity raises numerous health complications in addition to COVID-19—like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, more than a dozen different cancers, vision loss, arthritis, and disability. The list is virtually endless… and it just seems to be getting longer.  

Keep in mind, too, that while COVID-19 may be the first novel respiratory virus we’ve encountered in generations, there’s no chance that it will be the last. And since obesity is a risk factor in a lot of other respiratory viruses, it’s likely to be one the next time disaster strikes, too.  

That’s why the WOF is calling for more government and medical attention to obesity. And I’m glad to see that someone other than me is doing so. Because while modern American medicine is awful good at fixing broken things, an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of a cure.  

The WOF would like obesity to be categorized as a disease in and of itself. And while I’m not sure I agree with this—there’s no question that it’s a gateway to a lot of other lethal diseases. Arguably, the most dangerous gateway we’re dealing with today.   

So until we start treating obesity with the same seriousness that we’ve approached cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse, we will find ourselves in this same sinking ship, over and over again. 

That’s why I continuously urge you to save yourself and keep your weight in check. And, as I explained in the April 2020 issue of my monthly Logical Health Alternatives newsletter (“The life-changing power of losing just a few pounds”), even small but consistent lifestyle changes are powerful enough to do so. Subscribers have access this and a whole lot more in my archives. So if you haven’t already, consider signing up today. Click here now!

You can also take advantage of my very own A-List Diet, which helps maximize your weight loss while revealing dozens of healthy, balanced meals that you can easily incorporate into your life. And finally, don’t forget to check out my new segment, Cooking with Dr. Fred, on Instagram TV and on my YouTube channel, which showcases how eating healthy can be fun and delicious. 

P.S. Tune back in on Thursday, where I’ll expose yet another costly price of obesity in the fight against COVID-19. 

P.P.S. Are you considering trying CBD? Perhaps you have tried it in the past and felt nothing, or simply want to learn more about it? Well, this Sunday, March 21st at 3PM (EDT), I’ll be hosting a 2021 CBD Summit where I’ll expose five things you’ll want to know before trying CBD of any kind. So please reserve your FREE spot today for this exclusive, revealing event! 

Source: 

“Call to Action on Obesity Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic.” Medscape Medical News, 03/04/2021. (medscape.com/viewarticle/946890)