Obesity is a potential risk factor for covid-19 associated morbidity and mortality in urban Bangladesh

By 19 June, 90 619 covid-19 cases have been identified,3 mostly concentrated in urban areas.4 As a result of the government’s actions—such as enforcing lockdown, shutting down educational institutions and offices, and putting restrictions on the movement of vehicles5—people in urban communities are staying at home, reducing mobility and physical activity.6 Furthermore, being confined at home, people have indulged in binge eating,7 which may be linked to the increase in depressive illnesses amid the pandemic.8 Regardless of the pandemic, 68% of urban college students in the country consume fast food regularly, and 29.9% of them are obese.9 Processed food industries and restaurants are loosely regulated in Bangladesh, and the nutritional value of food is often overlooked.10 All these factors are leading to increased overweight and obesity, which is associated with weakened immunity.11 Early reports indicate a substantial epidemiological shift in vulnerable age groups for covid-19 in Bangladesh compared with other countries. There is a dire need for large scale epidemiological studies to investigate this association as well as public health programmes to improve knowledge and practice in order to reduce obesity among urban populations through healthy eating and exercise. 10.1038/oby.2001.31 11331430 9 Banik R Naher S Pervez S. Fast food consumption and obesity among urban college going adolescents in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study.