Coronavirus prep
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
I agree with the above statement, but I would like to remind you that even in the absence of co-morbidities people can and were infected by the virus and ended in a ventilator or even dead.
Some co-morbidities can't be eliminated. Such as diabetes type 1, RA, cancer, heart arrhythmias (like A Fib), COPD (not caused by smoking), asthma, and autoimmune disorders in general. They can only be controlled by medication. I am sure that those suffering from these diseases would like to have a magic way to eliminate them from their daily suffering, even in the absence of COVID.
I also agree that a healthy lifestyle and weight control could be addressed by health authorities and controlled by the population, but I don't think that people would be very receptive to hear about it right now (unless you are part of MFP).
If people are rejecting the request of wearing masks to save lives, including their own, do you think that they would be receptive to the idea of eating healthy and controlling their weight right now? I don't think so. Many people are out of work and reaching for the help given by Food Banks for their next meal, and I don't think that they are very concerned about what kind of food they get or how much of it, as long as they have something to feed their families. Would you????
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
I hope this disease acts as a wake up call to those who are obese and don’t yet have other serious health complications, although I doubt it will. People magazine in particular keeps flooding my feed with articles about “previously healthy 12 year old” and “32 year old mother of two” who have died of Covid, and it seems like in every single case the photo of the deceased shows a morbidly obese person. It’s tragic.
In many cases it’s not that simple - I was obese, I developed type 2 diabetes, and then I lost 125 lbs, got fit, controlled my diet, and improved my a1c and other numbers to within normal ranges. But I am still diabetic and always will be. And studies show that even well-controlled diabetes like mine remains a risk factor for serious complications and death from Covid.16 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
I agree with the above statement, but I would like to remind you that even in the absence of co-morbidities people can and were infected by the virus and ended in a ventilator or even dead.
Some co-morbidities can't be eliminated. Such as diabetes type 1, RA, cancer, heart arrhythmias (like A Fib), COPD (not caused by smoking), asthma, and autoimmune disorders in general. They can only be controlled by medication. I am sure that those suffering from these diseases would like to have a magic way to eliminate them from their daily suffering, even in the absence of COVID.
I also agree that a healthy lifestyle and weight control could be addressed by health authorities and controlled by the population, but I don't think that people would be very receptive to hear about it right now (unless you are part of MFP).
If people are rejecting the request of wearing masks to save lives, including their own, do you think that they would be receptive to the idea of eating healthy and controlling their weight right now? I don't think so. Many people are out of work and reaching for the help given by Food Banks for their next meal, and I don't think that they are very concerned about what kind of food they get or how much of it, as long as they have something to feed their families. Would you????
Agree that there are comorbidities that people can't do anything about.
On the masks, sure people are rejecting the idea, but the message is still being put out there.to wear them, haven't seen messaging to take care of your overall health.
Also true if one is getting food from the food bank or other assistnace there is.less concern about nutrition, jiust getting something to eat. However most aren't in that situation and if one is they can still be consuming and appropriate amount of calories to maintain weight or lose if required for heath.4 -
Some co-morbidities can't be eliminated. Such as diabetes type 1, RA, cancer, heart arrhythmias (like A Fib), COPD (not caused by smoking), asthma, and autoimmune disorders in general. They can only be controlled by medication. I am sure that those suffering from these diseases would like to have a magic way to eliminate them from their daily suffering, even in the absence of COVID.
Agreed! I have idiopathic (inherited) hypertension although I am not overweight, exercise daily, do not consume alcohol or caffeine, don't smoke, and eat a fairly "healthy" diet that is at least 50% fruit and veg. It takes a three-medication cocktail to control my blood pressure at an acceptable level. At my last dr's visit it was creeping up again and I was supposed to have my meds reassessed in March... oops.
Although I think of myself as a 57 year old with above average health, apparently my hypertension puts me at somewhat greater risk, mitigated to some extent by the fact that it's controlled. Yet there are no lifestyle factors I can alter at this point.11 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
My answer to that would be because simple messages hit home.
If one tries to have a message about, for example, getting regular pap smears - one doesnt throw in getting regular FOBT's and regular general check ups and vaccinations, and surgery is open x time to do it and the turn around time for results is x and if result is positive or negative, x is next step and other relevant but TLDR and now nobody is getting any message at all.
Simple poster: get a pap smear every 5 years.
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
Interestingly (to me 😉), when the word started getting out about higher mortality among those obese/inactive, I did see some instances over in the "Introductions" and "Getting Started" where people were talking about this issue finally pushing them to undertake weight loss and exercise. So, I think some people probably did metaphorically get that memo.
I haven't noticed whether any of the folks still hanging around and succeeding were among those who used that as motivation to start. I think we all know that quick quits are a pretty common thing in weight loss, no matter the reason for starting; and relapses common even after some good success. I'd be surprised if the odds differed.
Also, it appears (from comments in other parts of the forum) that even some long-term maintainers have struggled during the pandemic with overeating, experiencing some regain (comfort eating, changes in routine because of WFM, unavailability of preferred exercise, etc.).
So, I share an earlier commenter's cynicism about the value of public health messages that might try to use Covid complications and comorbidities as a motivator for better health practices. Those messages pretty much never work in a big way, and are probably even less likely to work under current circumstances. There are higher-priority ways to spend the marketing-message money right now, related to virus spread mitigation, not to mention the funding need for economic relief, food relief, etc.12 -
In spite of obesity being one of many conditions for not surviving from contracting COVID-19, there is a very simple solution, easy for ALL to follow, that has been preached from early days. Wear a face covering, social distance, and wash hands. Too many people disregard this, and have from the beginning. This has been the major contributor to the rampant spread of this virus in the US. Yet people continue to gather for holidays, weddings, funerals etc, and spread exposure to covid, that most likely won’t change during the upcoming holidays , that will be closing out this horrible year.
Singling out people that are obese is unfair. Losing weight is basic, eat less calories than your body burns. It wasn’t easy before COVID-19, isn’t easy during Covid-19, and won’t be easy after COVID-19. If it were easy there wouldn’t be sites like MFP. Singling out this risk factor seems judgmental and unfair. Walk a mile in their shoes. IMHO.19 -
missysippy930 wrote: »In spite of obesity being one of many conditions for not surviving from contracting COVID-19, there is a very simple solution, easy for ALL to follow, that has been preached from early days. Wear a face covering, social distance, and wash hands. Too many people disregard this, and have from the beginning. This has been the major contributor to the rampant spread of this virus in the US. Yet people continue to gather for holidays, weddings, funerals etc, and spread exposure to covid, that most likely won’t change during the upcoming holidays , that will be closing out this horrible year.
Singling out people that are obese is unfair. Losing weight is basic, eat less calories than your body burns. It wasn’t easy before COVID-19, isn’t easy during Covid-19, and won’t be easy after COVID-19. If it were easy there wouldn’t be sites like MFP. Singling out this risk factor seems judgmental and unfair. Walk a mile in their shoes. IMHO.
Pointing out that obesity and it's related health issues as something to work on to control the impact of Covid is not any more "unfair" than singling out unmasked individuals. Obesity along with smoking are really the only comorbidly factors an individual can control, just like wearing a mask.
Some people also say wearing a mask isn't easy but we all know they should be doing it.
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paperpudding wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
My answer to that would be because simple messages hit home.
If one tries to have a message about, for example, getting regular pap smears - one doesnt throw in getting regular FOBT's and regular general check ups and vaccinations, and surgery is open x time to do it and the turn around time for results is x and if result is positive or negative, x is next step and other relevant but TLDR and now nobody is getting any message at all.
Simple poster: get a pap smear every 5 years.
Simple poster, "lose weight, reduce your chance of complications from Covid".4 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »missysippy930 wrote: »In spite of obesity being one of many conditions for not surviving from contracting COVID-19, there is a very simple solution, easy for ALL to follow, that has been preached from early days. Wear a face covering, social distance, and wash hands. Too many people disregard this, and have from the beginning. This has been the major contributor to the rampant spread of this virus in the US. Yet people continue to gather for holidays, weddings, funerals etc, and spread exposure to covid, that most likely won’t change during the upcoming holidays , that will be closing out this horrible year.
Singling out people that are obese is unfair. Losing weight is basic, eat less calories than your body burns. It wasn’t easy before COVID-19, isn’t easy during Covid-19, and won’t be easy after COVID-19. If it were easy there wouldn’t be sites like MFP. Singling out this risk factor seems judgmental and unfair. Walk a mile in their shoes. IMHO.
Pointing out that obesity and it's related health issues as something to work on to control the impact of Covid is not any more "unfair" than singling out unmasked individuals. Obesity along with smoking are really the only comorbidly factors an individual can control, just like wearing a mask.
Some people also say wearing a mask isn't easy but we all know they should be doing it.
I disagree. Simply from the fact that wearing masks etc, is a an effective courtesy to others, and slows the spread. There are many more people carelessly exposing others to COVID-19, than there are obese people dying from Covid-19. By now, obese people know it’s a risk factor. It’s unnecessary to be pointed out, or singled out from any other risk factor.
Clearly, some people need to be reminded, incessantly, about what is spreading Covid-19, that has become the leading cause of death in the US in the past few days.6 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
My answer to that would be because simple messages hit home.
If one tries to have a message about, for example, getting regular pap smears - one doesnt throw in getting regular FOBT's and regular general check ups and vaccinations, and surgery is open x time to do it and the turn around time for results is x and if result is positive or negative, x is next step and other relevant but TLDR and now nobody is getting any message at all.
Simple poster: get a pap smear every 5 years.
Simple poster, "lose weight, reduce your chance of complications from Covid".
Do you really think that would convince a single person to lose weight?
Is there anyone out there that would say, “well, I knew my obesity could cause heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, etc, but now that I know it could cause Covid complications, I’m going to do something about it!”
I just don’t think that’s realistic for an ad campaign. People who won’t listen to their own doctors won’t listen to a poster.11 -
Related to weight. My extended family is like a poster child of comorbidities. So far, I know of one person that has taken some steps (out of like 15 to 20) to lose weight and get in better shape. Most of the rest have packed on more weight during Coronavirus.
I think when you see the pictures of those that have passed, most are elderly or overweight. So unless someone is burying their heads in the sand (which when it comes to weight, many do), they won't listen anyway.
But as a country, we do need to do a much better job in confronting those that are overweight with the reality of their health. In the US, we treat people with kid gloves compared to Europe when it comes to wellness and direct weight counseling from the healthcare community. It's not PC to tell someone here that they really need to lose weight.
I remember years ago when I was at my heaviest and a doc said, "well, you'll likely die from your heart stopping, like most of us". I felt he was kind of being trite and evasive. I was looking for someone to tell me, "yeah buddy, you better lose weight or bad things will happen...". Doctors, at least here in the US, are much more hesitant to have that conversation than in other countries. Likely because they get so much pushback. Also, our entire medical system, with it being a paid model with very little wellness care, is severely broken. We concentrate on acute care and emergencies only.13 -
MikePfirrman wrote: »Related to weight. My extended family is like a poster child of comorbidities. So far, I know of one person that has taken some steps (out of like 15 to 20) to lose weight and get in better shape. Most of the rest have packed on more weight during Coronavirus.
I think when you see the pictures of those that have passed, most are elderly or overweight. So unless someone is burying their heads in the sand (which when it comes to weight, many do), they won't listen anyway.
But as a country, we do need to do a much better job in confronting those that are overweight with the reality of their health. In the US, we treat people with kid gloves compared to Europe when it comes to wellness and direct weight counseling from the healthcare community. It's not PC to tell someone here that they really need to lose weight.
I remember years ago when I was at my heaviest and a doc said, "well, you'll likely die from your heart stopping, like most of us". I felt he was kind of being trite and evasive. I was looking for someone to tell me, "yeah buddy, you better lose weight or bad things will happen...". Doctors, at least here in the US, are much more hesitant to have that conversation than in other countries. Likely because they get so much pushback. Also, our entire medical system, with it being a paid model with very little wellness care, is severely broken. We concentrate on acute care and emergencies only.
JW, where are you seeing photos of people who died of covid?2 -
missysippy930 wrote: »MikePfirrman wrote: »Related to weight. My extended family is like a poster child of comorbidities. So far, I know of one person that has taken some steps (out of like 15 to 20) to lose weight and get in better shape. Most of the rest have packed on more weight during Coronavirus.
I think when you see the pictures of those that have passed, most are elderly or overweight. So unless someone is burying their heads in the sand (which when it comes to weight, many do), they won't listen anyway.
But as a country, we do need to do a much better job in confronting those that are overweight with the reality of their health. In the US, we treat people with kid gloves compared to Europe when it comes to wellness and direct weight counseling from the healthcare community. It's not PC to tell someone here that they really need to lose weight.
I remember years ago when I was at my heaviest and a doc said, "well, you'll likely die from your heart stopping, like most of us". I felt he was kind of being trite and evasive. I was looking for someone to tell me, "yeah buddy, you better lose weight or bad things will happen...". Doctors, at least here in the US, are much more hesitant to have that conversation than in other countries. Likely because they get so much pushback. Also, our entire medical system, with it being a paid model with very little wellness care, is severely broken. We concentrate on acute care and emergencies only.
JW, where are you seeing photos of people who died of covid?
Our local newscast and newspapers have stories every day about people who died of Covid. That's obviously just a small sampling, but I agree with Mike's observation.6 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »missysippy930 wrote: »MikePfirrman wrote: »Related to weight. My extended family is like a poster child of comorbidities. So far, I know of one person that has taken some steps (out of like 15 to 20) to lose weight and get in better shape. Most of the rest have packed on more weight during Coronavirus.
I think when you see the pictures of those that have passed, most are elderly or overweight. So unless someone is burying their heads in the sand (which when it comes to weight, many do), they won't listen anyway.
But as a country, we do need to do a much better job in confronting those that are overweight with the reality of their health. In the US, we treat people with kid gloves compared to Europe when it comes to wellness and direct weight counseling from the healthcare community. It's not PC to tell someone here that they really need to lose weight.
I remember years ago when I was at my heaviest and a doc said, "well, you'll likely die from your heart stopping, like most of us". I felt he was kind of being trite and evasive. I was looking for someone to tell me, "yeah buddy, you better lose weight or bad things will happen...". Doctors, at least here in the US, are much more hesitant to have that conversation than in other countries. Likely because they get so much pushback. Also, our entire medical system, with it being a paid model with very little wellness care, is severely broken. We concentrate on acute care and emergencies only.
JW, where are you seeing photos of people who died of covid?
Our local newscast and newspapers have stories every day about people who died of Covid. That's obviously just a small sampling, but I agree with Mike's observation.
They do feature people on the PBS Newshour that have died of covid. They are from all walks of life, and ages. I’ve never noticed that they are mostly obese or older though. And it is a extremely small number, 5 people each Friday, that PBS shows. I’ve not noticed any local television reports on the news, other than the stats. I don’t buy local newspapers, but it seems like an invasion of privacy unless families of loved ones are sanctioning photos. I guess it’s hard to accept “most” when in reality, I haven’t viewed anywhere near “most” of the people who have died from covid.
We’re approaching 300,000 deaths in the US. With the statistics of 2/3 of the adult population being considered overweight, logically many deaths would be overweight individuals.
Still, singling out obese individuals for a PSA, as an at risk group, seems unfair. I agree that there may be too much political correctness, but on a multitude of topics, not just being overweight, in this country.7 -
MikePfirrman wrote: »I remember years ago when I was at my heaviest and a doc said, "well, you'll likely die from your heart stopping, like most of us". I felt he was kind of being trite and evasive. I was looking for someone to tell me, "yeah buddy, you better lose weight or bad things will happen...". Doctors, at least here in the US, are much more hesitant to have that conversation than in other countries. Likely because they get so much pushback. Also, our entire medical system, with it being a paid model with very little wellness care, is severely broken. We concentrate on acute care and emergencies only.
This is not my experience. I've never had a doctor who didn't discuss weight (whether to ask me some questions about eating and exercise even when the message was "your weight seems fine, is in the healthy range" or to say (when I was around BMI 26) that my weight was a bit above the healthy zone but given general fitness, tests, exercise, blood pressure, it didn't seem anything to worry about (I was losing then and said I planned to lose more and the doctor asked how much and how I was doing it and was good with that), or, when I was obese, to give me a warning about how it was a risk factor and I should do something about it (and later to seem surprised when my tests were all good).
Not saying everyone has the same experience I have, but I don't think we can fairly generalize to the opposite either. And I know at times I've avoided going to the doctor because I didn't want to talk about my weight (which I knew was irresponsible, but did it anyway), and I've heard the same from another of others. If doctors really didn't discuss it (and I think they should), why would that be occurring?
(Also, people are different, since I knew my weight was too high when it was, and knew I should lose, and having my doctor comment didn't seem like it would be helpful--and was kind of neutral, in fact, since when I was obese I waited to go until I'd started losing. But then I hate feeling like I'm doing something for my own health at the urging of someone else vs. my own decision.)
Back to covid--I do have the sense that people know it's a risk factor and know they should do something about it, but the stumbling blocks haven't changed, and they knew it wasn't healthy before, as others have said. And I personally am one who has found a lot of the stuff since covid to be really playing with my head, so I can see how for some it would be if anything harder to deal with such things. A lot of people have been struggling with anxiety and depression and extra stress and being overwhelmed by no alone time or too much isolation or having to try to teach their kids while holding down a job, etc. I don't particularly see how a public campaign about covid and obesity would have made a difference. (This assumes that most are as aware of obesity as a risk factor as those I know are, and it is possible I'm out of touch with some less informed social circles on that issue, dunno. Some evidence of ignorance on this topic would be useful if it exists.)
The UK had a campaign connecting obesity/weight loss and covid risk, I seem to recall. I guess one question would be whether that was effective.5 -
missysippy930 wrote: »MikePfirrman wrote: »Related to weight. My extended family is like a poster child of comorbidities. So far, I know of one person that has taken some steps (out of like 15 to 20) to lose weight and get in better shape. Most of the rest have packed on more weight during Coronavirus.
I think when you see the pictures of those that have passed, most are elderly or overweight. So unless someone is burying their heads in the sand (which when it comes to weight, many do), they won't listen anyway.
But as a country, we do need to do a much better job in confronting those that are overweight with the reality of their health. In the US, we treat people with kid gloves compared to Europe when it comes to wellness and direct weight counseling from the healthcare community. It's not PC to tell someone here that they really need to lose weight.
I remember years ago when I was at my heaviest and a doc said, "well, you'll likely die from your heart stopping, like most of us". I felt he was kind of being trite and evasive. I was looking for someone to tell me, "yeah buddy, you better lose weight or bad things will happen...". Doctors, at least here in the US, are much more hesitant to have that conversation than in other countries. Likely because they get so much pushback. Also, our entire medical system, with it being a paid model with very little wellness care, is severely broken. We concentrate on acute care and emergencies only.
JW, where are you seeing photos of people who died of covid?
I see news stories all the time profiling people who have passed. They almost always have photos.2 -
I haven't seen photos of people who have passed, but the news regularly has a story about people who have survived after being very sick with Covid & hospitalized & ventilator for weeks, etc. and a lot of them have had obesity issues.4
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One has to be careful about under eating in this Pandemic. Covid-19 mames and kills through inflammation. Foods that causes causes one's CRP levels to rise can vary person to person. Just swapping out highly inflammatory foods for less inflammatory foods can be helpful even if calorie count doesn't drop.4
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I see photos locally of people who've died from Covid (news sources, friends' social media posts). I suspect that those tend to be a slightly more representative (random-ish) sample than what might be featured in a national media series about people who've died from it.
Why? The national news sources I follow, when they do this, seem to make an effort to choose a spectrum of people from the thousands of national cases (choose a variety of ages, races, health statuses, occupations, locations . . . .), and (I suspect) also make it a point to choose some "never would have thought it could happen" cases (younger, athletic, whatever), as a way to deliver the "it could be you" message.
ETA: A lot of the local photos I've seen have been obese/overweight people. Not all.7
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