More Health Risk Associated with Obesity

The health risks associated with obesity or being overweight are undeniably well known and it seems that the risks are growing each day. We read from time to time of new research and study results that obese people may be at higher risk for more severe illness. And speaking of new study, I have read a few days ago (published online in the International Journal of Obesity) that obesity may interfere or may render the flu shot less effective. Then I have just written two days ago about the new findings that flu vaccine may not be effective than we thought it is.

More specifically, the trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV) is only about 60% effective in healthy adults and what made it disturbing is that it is the commonly and widely used flu vaccine for children and adults.

The antibody level in the blood of obese and overweight people decreased abruptly 11 months after vaccination. There was four times decrease in antibody in half of the obese patients, according to the study. What happen is that, there was a certain type of white blood cells that doesn’t work properly in heavier people that plays a prime role in the process of building up the immune system. And the fact that the response of obese individual is impaired then there must have been substantial implications already.

It is also well documented that obesity is link to lowered immunity, according to professor of pulmonary medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

NB: Image from wikimedia commons.