Obesity Triples Risk of Death from Infectious Diseases
1Obese individuals face up to 3x higher risk of death from infections.
2Excess body fat weakens the immune system's ability to fight pathogens.
3Common illnesses like flu or pneumonia become deadlier with obesity.
📖 Easy Explanation
🔍 Background
Obesity was known to cause diabetes, but it also severely weakens immunity.
📌 Key Points
A study of 540,000 people showed a 70% higher risk of hospitalization for the obese, and 3x for the severely obese. Excess fat prevents immune cells from functioning properly.
💡 Why It Matters
Aging combined with weight gain makes infections more dangerous. Maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and diet is a vital shield against disease.
📚 Glossary
체질량지수 (BMI)Body Mass Index; a measure of body fat based on height and weight
만성 염증 (Manseong Yeomjeung)Chronic inflammation; a long-term immune response that weakens the body
란셋 (The Lancet)A world-renowned British medical journal