The Hidden Overfat Pandemic
The overfat pandemic and its associated chronic inflammation and insulin resistance, and downstream chronic disease represents one of the greatest threats to global human health (28). Excess body fat is a primary driver of chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and many downstream chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, liver and kidney disease, cancer, and others (7, 8, 29), including increased risk of respiratory infections and inflammatory lung diseases (30).
During and after the 2009 influenza A/H1N1 pandemic, body mass index (BMI) was recognized as an independent risk factor for influenza, in particular, the severity of the illness, hospitalization, increased risk of spreading the disease, and death (9, 10). Data from past pandemics and seasonal influenza demonstrate that obesity is an independent risk factor for severe outcomes (10, 31).
Unfortunately, most metrics used in studies of influenza and other viral infections use obesity as a metric, and not adiposity, which may be a better metric to define this relationship between excess body fat and influenza (31). Even more important is the fact that 40 percent or more of normal-weight non-obese adults may have excess body fat that impairs their health—the condition called overfat (Figure 1) (7).
The Perfect Storm: Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic Meets Overfat Pandemic
