Global Health Asia-Pacific September 2020 September 2020 | Page 56

SPONSORED FEATURE
Covid and Obesity
Q&A with Dr Jaideep Rao and Dr Ben Ng
Having diabetes and obesity increases the risk of
hospitalization and serious health complications
in Covid-19 infections. Recent studies show that
people with diabetes are 3 times at greater risk of death
and health complications as compared to people without
diabetes.
What is the association between diabetes,
obesity and Covid-19?
It is known fact that the people with diabetes are
generally at increased risk of infections including
in�uenza and bacterial pneumonia. �eople with
obesity and diabetes tend to have an impaired
immune response to infections hence predisposing
them at increased risk.
Generally speaking, obesity and diabetes are
affected by lifestyle factors including poor health
choices, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. These
factors also contribute to an increased risk of
infection.
This condition is made worse when blood sugars
are not controlled and there are other associated
health conditions such as blood pressure, high
cholesterol and underlying heart disease.
So, should people with diabetes and obesity
approach or adopt different precautions with
Covid-19?
Not really. I think it’s important that people with
obesity and diabetes are aware that they are at
greater risk of developing more severe infections with
Covid-19. Therefore, it is even more important to take
the correct precautions recommended by the Ministry
of health in Singapore including social distancing, and
good personal hygiene and wearing your masks when
going out for essential purposes.
54 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2020 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific.com