Page 12 - ECC eBook COVID-19 Volume#3

Special Edition COVID-19 #2 /PUBLISHED BY EC CLASSIFIEDS
For example, respiratory function in obese patients may be compromised by asthma, restrictive lung disease, or obstructive sleep apnea.
The Times also mentions that “obesity is known
to cause chronic, low-grade inflammation and an increase in circulating, pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may play a role in the worst Covid-19 outco- mes”.
How many Americans are obese?
Around 42% of Americans adults — nearly 80 mi- llion people — live with obesity. The rate among Hispanics and blacks is particularly high. According to the CDC:
Non-Hispanic blacks (49.6%) had the highest age-adjusted prevalence of obesity, followed by Hispanics (44.8%), non-Hispa- nic whites (42.2%) and non-Hispanic Asians (17.4%).