Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, it has been clear that many who end up in intensive care with severe corona, as well as many who die, are overweight or obese.
Subsequently, study after study has shown this connection.
In a new review of 6.9 million Britons, researchers show that the risks of severe covid 19 increase already from BMI over 23 (BMI is body weight in relation to height. BMI 19-24 is normal body weight).
The higher the BMI, the greater the risk.
This and other studies also show that the risks with a high BMI are greatest in the younger part of the population.
Obesity is rarely a diagnosis
- Obesity is a disease, but still the stigma around body weight seems to lead to this group not being prioritized, says Joanna Uddén.
According to the Swedish Public Health Agency, anyone with a BMI over 40, extreme obesity, can be included in phase 3 of the vaccination.
But despite this, few overweight people have managed to get the vaccine.
The reason is that many people with obesity do not have the diagnosis written in their medical records.
- Most people with obesity seek care for something other than weight.
It can be about back pain, diabetes or something else that is linked to weight but which is never recorded as obesity, says chief physician Joanna Uddén.
"Blame-yourself-attitude"
- In addition, it is now obvious that the risk of severe covid begins well below BMI 40. So the order of priority for vaccines must be changed, demands Joanna Uddén, who has repeatedly contacted the Swedish Public Health Agency.
- But they have not even responded to my and other obesity researchers' calls, she says.
That in itself probably shows how one looks at this group.
That there is still a "blame-yourself-attitude" despite the WHO stating that obesity is a disease already 25 years ago.
SVT Nyheter has applied for the Public Health Agency's Anders Tegnell, who announces in writing that they are now starting to vaccinate group 4 just where everyone is included.