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MNN UK · February 10, 2026 · 1 min read

Obesity raises risk of severe infection and death by 70%, study finds

What happened: A study of over 500,000 people found that those with obesity are 70% more likely to be hospitalised or die from infections. The research links unhealthy weight to higher risks from diseases like flu, pneumonia, and Covid-19.

Why it matters:

  • One in ten infection-related deaths worldwide is associated with obesity.
  • People living with obesity face significantly greater health risks from common infectious diseases.

MNN Take: The findings highlight the importance of addressing obesity as a factor in infection severity and mortality. Managing weight could help reduce hospitalisations and deaths linked to infections.

Sources: Guardian UK