Obesity Increases Infection Death Risk by 70%, Weakens Immune System: Study

• New research in The Lancet warns obesity significantly raises hospitalization and death risk from infections.
• Individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher are 70% more likely to contract severe infections.
• Obesity was linked to over 3.8% of infectious disease deaths in 2023, with 1 in 26 deaths attributed to it.
• Excess fat causes chronic inflammation, weakening the immune system and affecting lung function.
• Experts urge treating obesity as a metabolic disorder, emphasizing diet, exercise, and weight control to mitigate future health burdens.