The data alone tell a pretty damning story: According to the CDC, from 1999-2018, the prevalence of obesity among adults in the US went from 30.5% to 42.4%, and those with severe obesity went from 4.7% of the US adult population to 9.2%. These statistics are also tied to the significant prevalence of chronic illness in US adults, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. As agebuzz readers learned, obesity also seems to accelerate the actual process of aging. And now, one more concern has arisen: Obesity is now considered a serious risk factor in and of itself when it comes to COVID-19. As cardiologist David Kass from Johns Hopkins recently made clear, “If you’re substantially obese, this is the time to be prudent: wear the mask, keep a distance from others and contact your doctor sooner than you might otherwise if you feel sick. This is your life.”

It seems that obesity can alter your immune system and lead to chronic inflammation that can spiral out of control once you are infected with COVId-19. In fact, some research has shown that those under 60 who are obese are twice as likely to be admitted to the ICU when infected with the coronavirus and were 3x more likely to die than those not obese. In fact, obesity seems to now account for the growing number of younger people experiencing severe consequences from COVID-19.

Furthermore, beyond the risks regarding the coronavirus, there is now evidence that obesity during middle-age will increase your odds of dementia as you get older. A new study by British researchers found that those who are obese at midlife have on average a 31% higher risk for developing dementia (and for women, the risk is closer to 39%) than those of normal weight. Once again, the chronic illnesses that often accompany obesity- such as cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes- and which are all considered risk factors for Alzheimer’s- may contribute to this link between obesity and dementia.

But as the Wall Street Journal recently reported (paywall), there are newer strategies being deployed to combat obesity and reduce the accompanying negative impact on health and well- being. As more physicians come to understand the etiology of obesity (which can include environmental, biological, psychological, and genetic factors) in their patients, as well as effective therapies beyond diet and exercise, progress is being made in helping obese patients lose weight and keep it off. Weight reduction surgeries and a newer class of medications are proving to be valuable components in fighting obesity. While obesity is a complex disease, one thing seems clear: without therapeutic intervention, those who suffer from obesity are likely to experience serious physical and cognitive problems that can shorten their lives and heighten their risk for dementia as they grow older.