Family physician Mark Hyman, M.D. said being dangerously overweight raises our risk for death by more than three times.
We all know that obesity is bad for our health. But now, it’s much more so during this very dangerous COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
Reports said the coronavirus pandemic has taken over 14,000 American lives, and current projections suggest as many as 60,000 U.S. citizens will succumb to this deadly virus.
The medical expert said those with a chronic disease are almost 10 times as likely to die, but those with obesity are almost three times more likely to die.
“Now, more than ever, it is critical for our population to focus on their own health and use food as medicine to bolster their own health, and thereby reduce the overall burden on the healthcare system, which is already buckling under the burden of COVID-19 layered on top of chronic disease, which affects 6 out of 10 Americans,” Hyman said.
Studies show 60 percent of all Americans technically have a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 percent, which is the medical level that signifies obesity. Roughly a third of those 78 million obese U.S. citizens have a BMI of over 40 percent – which classifies them as morbidly-obese, putting much greater stress on their vital organs, regardless of a potential battle with COVID-19.
Staying healthy during stay-at-home orders and self-quarantine has become a real challenge for everyone, as is showing discipline in what food and drink you’re eating, the family physician noted.
Reports of record sales of alcohol, snacks and packaged foods have abounded over the past month. But according to Dr. Hyman, there has never been a more critical time to focus on healthy living and eating.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said we need to consider these three things to help permanently improve our eating habits:
* Reflect on all your habits, both good and bad, and your common triggers for unhealthy eating.
* Replace your unhealthy eating habits with healthier ones.
* Reinforce your new, healthier habits and be patient with yourself.
You can do it! Take it one day at a time!
Ana Williams is the health columnist for The Graham Star.