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Welcome to a new weekly digest of stories about COVID-19, obesity and related challenges from across the globe.

We will be compiling stories from credible sources representing all regions of the world, including academic articles, position statements and mainstream news, amongst others. 

If you have signed up to our newsletter, we will be sending this digest to your inbox every Monday during the current pandemic. If you have any stories from your country or discipline, please send through to us at eneeds@worldobesity.org.

NEWS

• • Researchers have linked internal tissue inflammation and reduced lung function in people living with obesity to increased risk of cytokine storms and resulting severe illness from coronavirus.
• • Discussion on the impact on the economy, the medical response, and projected hunger as a result of Covid-19.
• • Lockdown has forced Americans to cook more and eat out less, which usually leads to better nutrition - but that is not always the case, especially in food deserts.
• • There is a far higher risk of death from Covid-19 for those with obesity and its associated conditions says a leading cardiologist.
• • This piece argues that the UK government must develop and implement a comprehensive plan to deal with shocks to the food system.

OPINION

• • While multiple governments have declared obesity a risk factor for severe illness from coronavirus, the authors questions why they have chosen a BMI of 40kg/m2 or higher as the cutoff.
• • While children are forced to remain indoors, some researchers are growing concerned about the longer-term effects on children’s health .
• • While there does appear to be a link between obesity and severe illness from coronavirus, more data, especially regarding BMI of infected patients, must be published before consensus is reached.

COMMENT

• • Several recent studies have suggested people living with obesity tend to be hospitalized more frequently than others - more research must be done.

RELEASE

• • How the coronavirus has highlighted disparities across the world, particularly regarding access to healthy food.

Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.