Obesity: Good and Bad News

Authors: Cornelli U*, Belcaro G and Recchia M

DOI: 10.23880/doij-16000246

Volume 6, Issue 3

Abstract

Objective: To determine if obesity is a risk factor for COVID-19 death. Methods: The COVID-19 data were taken from the John Hopkins records updated to February 17, 2021. The obesity prevalence in the 187 countries was that of 2016 (the only data available). LEEDELS (life expectancy, ecological, demographic and lifestyle) data for 2016 were also analyzed for all the countries. The countries were analyzed in two sets: the 49 countries whose death registries the WHO consider reliable (49 SCs) and the remaining 138 countries. The correlations between COVID-19 and obesity were calculated using Spearman's ρ. The same was done for the correlations between LEEDELS data and obesity. Results: No correlation was found between obesity and COVID-19 deaths in the 49 SCs (good news) and in the other 138 countries the correlation was positive (bad news). Obesity seems to be independent of the LEEDELS data in the 49 SCs, apart from GDP1 (Gross Domestic Product type 1). A strong correlation was found in the remaining 138 countries with all the variables that reflect prosperity such as GDP, cars, mobile phones and internet connection. Conclusions: Obesity cannot be considered a risk factor for COVID-19 deaths. Since obesity is linked to different LEEDELS data in the 49 SCs and the rest of the world, it is possible that every country shows a different pattern.

Keywords: Obesity; COVID-19 Deaths; Ecology; Lifestyle; Demography

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