Obesity, The Second Biggest Factor, Eases The Transmission Of COVID-19

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JAKARTA - Nutritionist from Padjajaran University, Gaga Irawan Nugraha, said that obesity or obesity is the second biggest factor that facilitates the transmission of COVID-19.

"The risk-weighting factor that makes it easier to get COVID-19, number one is hypertensive people, the second is obesity," said Gaga in a discussion at Graha BNPB, East Jakarta, Tuesday, September 29.

This fact was obtained from the results of a survey of COVID-19 cases in the United States in April. In New York City, more than 42 percent of the deaths from positive cases of COVID-19 were people who were obese.

In body condition, said Gaga, someone with obesity has accumulated more fat than people with normal body posture.

"He has a larger surface fat, so the receptors for attaching the virus to the sticking of the virus become wider, making it more susceptible to infection and more prone to aggravating risks," he explained.

Then, when obese people are infected with COVID-19, they also find it more difficult to breathe because the restrictions on their lungs become smaller due to the accumulation of fat around them.

"Obese people will experience immunity disorders that make it easier for them to be infected and more prone to gaining weight because of obesity," said Geri.

If an obese person has been infected with COVID-19, then the treatment step is to increase immunity and reduce consumption of foods that aggravate the obesity condition.

According to Gaga, people can become obese because of the wrong lifestyle, irregular eating patterns, and frequent consumption of sugar and flour.

Therefore, so that the disease condition does not get worse, people should no longer eat foods and drinks that cause obesity.

"Avoid consuming sugar content such as candy, chocolate, soft drinks, sweet tea, sweet coffee, and so on," said Gaga.

"Then, avoid consuming simple carbohydrates or foods made from flour. That flour is what increases blood sugar the most, facilitates obesity. And we know, almost all snacks are made of flour," he added.