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Fighting fat to fight Covid-19

Experts warn that being obese or overweight puts you at a greater risk of dying from the virus

Experts have warned that being obese or overweight puts you at greater risk of serious illness or death from Covid-19. One study suggests the chances of dying from the coronavirus are 90% higher in those who are severely obese. This week British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced sweeping plans to shrink waistlines, saying the virus had been a 鈥渨ake-up call鈥 on an issue that threatened public health even before the pandemic. According to the World Health Organisation obesity has nearly tripled worldwide since 1975 and is becoming an increasing problem in developing economies. Meanwhile Asian and black populations have been found to have a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease, conditions exacerbated by carrying excess weight. New measures in England include a ban on 鈥榖uy one get one free鈥 deals, new curbs on the advertising of junk food, and a review of labelling on food and drinks sold in shops. But how much of an impact have these policies made when introduced elsewhere? Governments are increasingly introducing taxes on foods high in sugar in the hope of changing consumer behaviour and encouraging manufacturers to make their products healthier. But do such measures work? And how important is exercise in tackling the global obesity crisis? Join Ritula Shah and guests as they discuss whether fighting fat can help curb the coronavirus.

Available now

53 minutes

Last on

Sat 1 Aug 2020 03:06GMT

Contributors

Dr Meera Shekar - Global Lead for Nutrition with the World Bank's Health, Nutrition and Population Global Practice

Dr Olivia Barata Cavalcanti - Director of Science and Education at the World Obesity Federation

Dr Jane Howard - An Academic Physician at King's College London, where she leads the Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Immunometabolism Research Group

Also featuring ...

Dr Francesco Branca - Director of the Department of Nutrition for Health and Development at the World Health Organisation (WHO)

Tim Rycroft - Chief Operating Officer at the UK industry body The Food and Drink Federation

Photo

An obese man's stomach - Getty Images

Broadcasts

  • Fri 31 Jul 2020 09:06GMT
  • Fri 31 Jul 2020 23:06GMT
  • Sat 1 Aug 2020 03:06GMT

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