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Pandemic Exposes Critical Failings in Obesity Services
Pandemic Exposes Critical Failings in Obesity Services
While significant health risks of COVID-19 exist for the 31% (12.5 million)1 of Australians living with obesity, specialists say the ‘obesogenic’ home environments, closed specialist clinics, overloaded support services, and extended delays in accessing treatment are having a significant and disproportionate impact on a group already struggling and stigmatised.
MEDIA
While significant health risks of COVID-19 exist for the 31% (12.5 million)1 of Australians living with obesity, specialists say the ‘obesogenic’ home environments, closed specialist clinics, overloaded support services, and extended delays in accessing treatment are having a significant and disproportionate impact on a group already struggling and stigmatised.
Potential For an Obesity Acceleration Curve
Much has been made of the ‘COVID kilos’ many Australians gained during lockdowns, with one large survey placing the average gain at around 6kg.2 But for those already living with obesity, extra weight from lockdown living can lead to an escalation in health complications and may not be shifted through diet changes and exercise.3-5
Call for More Funding
Ethicon support the need for ‘accessible and affordable, evidence-based treatment options for people with obesity’ to be delivered in a stigma-free way. We call on Federal and State Governments to take a ‘whole of health approach’ to obesity, with a bold policy framework for prevention, management and treatment which is evidence based and person centred.
COVID-19 and Obesity – the Facts
From the early stages of 2020, it became evident most people with COVID-19 who needed hospitalisation, including intensive care and ventilation, lived with obesity.6 Systematic analysis of 70+ pieces of global research shows people with obesity (compared with those of healthy weight) are:6
46% more likely to be diagnosed positive for COVID-19
113% more likely to go to hospital
74% more likely to require intensive care
48% more likely to die
COVID-19 and Obesity: a Double Whammy
A survey of the effects of the pandemic on Australians living with obesity, conducted by the Weight Issues Network, found:7
of respondents were worried about their ability to recover from COVID-19 due to their obesity
reported their diet had changed for the worse during lockdown
stated that they couldn’t follow their normal level of physical activity
reported issues accessing healthcare
References
1. Obesity Evidence Hub, The Obesity Collective. Obesity trends in Australian adults. May 2021. Available at: https://www.obesityevidencehub.org.au/collections/trends/adults-australia Accessed February 2022.
2. Bailey P, Purcell S, Calvar J, Baverstock A. Diet and Health under COVID-19. Ipsos Global Advisor. January 2021. Available at:
https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/2021-01/global_combined_charts_covid_and_weight_-_final_12_jan_2021.pdf
Accessed February 2022.
3. Bray GA, Kim KK, Wilding JPH. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation Obes Rev. 2017;18(7):715-723.
4. Bray GA, Heisel WE, Afshin A, Jensen MD, Dietz WH, Long M, Kushner RF, Daniels SR, Wadden TA, Tsai AG, Hu FB, Jakicic JM, Ryan DH, Wolfe BM, Inge TH. The Science of Obesity Management: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. Endocr Rev. 2018;39(2):79-132. doi: 10.1210/er.2017-00253.
5. Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM, Garber AJ, Hurley DL, Jastreboff AM, Nadolsky K, Pessah-Pollack R, Plodkowski R. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology Comprehensive Clinical Practice Guidelines for Medical Care of Patients With Obesity. Endocr Pract. 2016;22 Suppl 3:1-203.
6. Popkin BM, Du S, Green WD, Beck MA, Algaith T, Herbst CH, Alsukait RF, Alluhidan M, Alezemi N, Shekar M. Individuals with obesity and COVID-19: A global perspective on the epidemiology and biological relationships. Obesity Reviews. 2020; 21:e13128. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13128.
7. Weight Issues Network (WIN). COVID-19 pandemic survey results: COVID-19 Impact on People living with obesity. August 2020. Available at: https://auswin.org.au/2020/11/11/covid-19-pandemic-survey-results/ Accessed May 2022.
Disclaimer: There are risks with any surgery, such as adverse reactions to medications, problems with anaesthesia, problems breathing, bleeding, blood clots, inadvertent injury to nearby organs and blood vessels, even death. Bariatric surgery has its own risks, including failure to lose weight, nutritional or vitamin deficiencies and weight regain. Patients should consult their doctor to determine whether this procedure is appropriate for their condition. Alternative options to surgery include a healthy energy-controlled diet and physical activity.
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