Britain's fattest towns: Wigan, Stoke and Nottingham are named among UK's obesity hotspots - but how does where YOU live measure up?

The people of Wirral are officially the fattest in Britain with more hospital admissions for obesity-related illnesses than anywhere else in the country. 

Hot on their heels are those who live in Wigan, York, Stoke-on-Trent and Nottingham.

The five regions all recorded admission rates of over 3,000 per 100,000 population.

However, Wokingham and West Berkshire both recorded admission rates below 500 per 100,000 population, according to NHS figures for England (2018/19). 

In London, Southwark had the highest number of admissions (2,912), while the lowest in the capital was recorded for Richmond upon Thames, with 730 cases. 

With Britain in the grip of a second wave of coronavirus, the issue of obesity is of more concern than ever. 

Overweight people are more than three times as likely to die of Covid-19 than those of a healthy weight, a Public Health England report revealed in July. 

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE HOW YOUR REGION FARED

The people of Wirral are officially the fattest in Britain with more hospital admissions for obesity-related illnesses than anywhere else in the country

Local Authority data from NHS England showing the number of hospital admissions for obesity-related illnesses for 2018-19

There were 3,804 hospital admissions where obesity was a factor for inhabitants of the Wirral, a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, in north-west England

The figures were also very high for York. With Britain in the grip of a second wave of coronavirus, the issue of obesity is of more concern than ever

Above, the data for Wigan. Admission rates overall for the country ranged from 413 to 3,804 per 100,000 population, with the highest admission rate over nine times greater than the lowest rate

The national rate was 1,615 per 100,000 population. Obesity-related admission figures for Nottingham in 2018-19 stood at 3,205

Stoke-on-Trent did also not fare well - with admission numbers standing at 3,154

People who have extra weight, defined as a body mass index of over 25, are also at higher odds of needing ventilation when ill with Covid-19 by seven-fold.

The report said excess weight does not seem to increase people's chances of contracting Covid-19, but said excess fat can affect the respiratory system and is likely to affect immune function.

Meanwhile, the 2018/19 obesity-admissions NHS report found that across Britain, around three in every four patients admitted were female (74%).

There were 3,804 hospital admissions where obesity was a factor for inhabitants of the Wirral, a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, in north-west England. 

HOW DOES YOUR REGION RANK IN HOSPITAL OBESITY-RELATED ADMISSION?  

		Admissions				Admissions per 100,000 of population
		All persons	Male	Female		ALL PERSONS	Male	Female
	ENGLAND	875,663	305,073	570,568		1,615	1,193	2,042
	NORTH EAST	31,855	11,540	20,315		1,206	906	1,503
	Darlington	940	340	600		892	662	1,113
	County Durham	6,535	2,510	4,025		1,230	963	1,493
	Gateshead	1,990	525	1,465		979	544	1,415
	Hartlepool	1,660	545	1,115		1,832	1,251	2,399
	Middlesbrough	940	350	590		731	571	886
	Newcastle upon Tyne	2,150	620	1,530		780	533	1,048
	North Tyneside	2,815	995	1,815		1,343	983	1,678
	Northumberland	4,580	1,670	2,910		1,381	977	1,776
	Redcar and Cleveland	895	320	575		661	479	830
	South Tyneside	1,550	635	915		1,023	877	1,173
	Stockton-on-Tees	3,035	1,130	1,900		1,586	1,238	1,932
	Sunderland	4,770	1,895	2,875		1,709	1,426	1,994
	NORTH WEST	130,705	48,565	82,135		1,842	1,434	2,253
	Blackburn with Darwen	3,710	1,190	2,515		2,782	1,892	3,680
	Blackpool	3,300	1,250	2,050		2,387	1,797	2,985
	Bolton	2,425	1,105	1,320		907	851	963
	Bury	2,350	845	1,505		1,278	963	1,589
	Cheshire East	6,800	2,305	4,490		1,823	1,176	2,464
	Cheshire West and Chester	5,600	1,775	3,825		1,669	1,044	2,275
	Cumbria	6,710	2,625	4,080		1,299	972	1,637
	Halton	2,215	875	1,340		1,764	1,442	2,075
	Knowsley	2,205	745	1,460		1,510	1,102	1,866
	Lancashire	22,045	8,470	13,570		1,831	1,432	2,229
	Liverpool	6,350	2,130	4,220		1,389	1,066	1,744
	Manchester	8,815	2,745	6,065		2,094	1,600	2,623
	Oldham	2,865	995	1,870		1,327	991	1,661
	Rochdale	2,955	1,035	1,920		1,429	1,079	1,781
	Salford	6,420	2,345	4,075		2,853	2,247	3,476
	Sefton	3,685	1,395	2,290		1,316	1,004	1,635
	St. Helens	2,595	1,070	1,530		1,443	1,209	1,683
	Stockport	7,385	2,935	4,450		2,560	2,097	2,995
	Tameside	2,475	1,080	1,395		1,135	1,014	1,249
	Trafford	4,220	1,620	2,600		1,905	1,560	2,250
	Warrington	2,655	980	1,675		1,288	979	1,606
	Wigan	10,665	4,495	6,170		3,318	2,863	3,781
	Wirral	12,270	4,545	7,725		3,804	2,884	4,706
	YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER	91,745	31,625	60,120		1,719	1,250	2,192
	Barnsley	2,760	1,030	1,730		1,126	848	1,397
	Calderdale	3,310	1,060	2,245		1,625	1,062	2,180
	Bradford	13,940	4,905	9,040		2,936	2,228	3,640
	Doncaster	5,310	1,715	3,595		1,731	1,147	2,339
	East Riding of Yorkshire	6,075	2,415	3,660		1,683	1,274	2,105
	Kingston upon Hull, City of	3,220	905	2,315		1,272	814	1,752
	Kirklees	7,030	1,960	5,070		1,663	977	2,356
	Leeds	6,205	2,025	4,180		859	629	1,085
	North East Lincolnshire	2,220	780	1,440		1,401	1,009	1,801
	North Lincolnshire	1,695	565	1,125		972	642	1,304
	North Yorkshire	13,085	5,205	7,885		2,034	1,582	2,522
	Rotherham	6,330	2,090	4,240		2,430	1,636	3,202
	Sheffield	5,890	2,140	3,750		1,099	852	1,344
	Wakefield	8,035	2,350	5,685		2,356	1,410	3,265
	York	6,640	2,475	4,160		3,321	2,743	3,946
	EAST MIDLANDS	110,605	37,815	72,785		2,343	1,661	3,030
	Derby	6,495	1,715	4,780		2,679	1,605	3,768
	Derbyshire	19,025	6,395	12,630		2,375	1,564	3,171
	Leicester	5,230	1,445	3,785		1,756	1,116	2,396
	Leicestershire	12,915	4,530	8,380		1,861	1,320	2,394
	Lincolnshire	12,035	4,195	7,840		1,567	1,073	2,061
	Northamptonshire	21,080	7,640	13,440		2,959	2,231	3,702
	Nottingham	8,805	2,570	6,235		3,205	2,274	4,216
	Nottinghamshire	24,545	9,150	15,390		2,971	2,244	3,699
	Rutland	480	175	300		1,167	817	1,591
	WEST MIDLANDS	120,970	38,155	82,815		2,121	1,416	2,835
	Birmingham	15,390	3,615	11,775		1,514	868	2,148
	Coventry	8,555	2,855	5,700		2,814	2,115	3,533
	Dudley	6,910	1,825	5,085		2,210	1,182	3,205
	Herefordshire, County of	2,520	820	1,700		1,305	794	1,850
	Sandwell	4,430	1,315	3,110		1,465	963	1,970
	Shropshire	6,135	2,355	3,780		1,808	1,354	2,295
	Solihull	2,745	715	2,030		1,336	692	1,968
	Staffordshire	22,985	7,830	15,160		2,595	1,759	3,465
	Stoke-on-Trent	8,040	1,780	6,260		3,154	1,526	4,872
	Telford and Wrekin	4,050	1,380	2,670		2,404	1,753	3,091
	Walsall	6,150	1,795	4,355		2,291	1,428	3,124
	Warwickshire	12,080	4,485	7,595		2,117	1,593	2,646
	Wolverhampton	6,975	2,035	4,940		2,806	1,805	3,839
	Worcestershire	14,010	5,355	8,655		2,308	1,762	2,847
	EAST OF ENGLAND	82,555	29,415	53,140		1,361	1,000	1,721
	Bedford	2,090	850	1,240		1,296	1,103	1,486
	Cambridgeshire	7,750	3,120	4,630		1,224	1,014	1,452
	Central Bedfordshire	4,270	1,465	2,805		1,547	1,107	1,980
	Essex	14,765	5,480	9,285		1,010	765	1,250
	Hertfordshire	17,165	5,950	11,215		1,543	1,144	1,923
	Luton	4,280	1,310	2,970		2,264	1,588	2,997
	Norfolk	14,020	4,815	9,205		1,522	1,032	2,016
	Peterborough	2,060	655	1,410		1,105	774	1,461
	Southend-on-Sea	1,480	540	940		827	626	1,027
	Suffolk	13,265	4,775	8,490		1,732	1,235	2,247
	Thurrock	1,405	460	950		891	636	1,126
	LONDON	107,675	35,865	71,805		1,418	1,105	1,738
	City of London	80	40	40		919	803	1,064
	Barking and Dagenham	2,875	860	2,015		1,680	1,234	2,121
	Barnet	3,240	1,050	2,190		926	698	1,159
	Bexley	3,225	1,235	1,990		1,407	1,201	1,606
	Brent	6,145	2,080	4,065		2,161	1,635	2,726
	Bromley	3,815	1,200	2,615		1,203	839	1,538
	Camden	1,580	560	1,020		765	614	921
	Croydon	3,720	1,120	2,600		1,048	714	1,358
	Ealing	6,590	2,180	4,410		2,222	1,668	2,797
	Enfield	3,095	1,045	2,050		1,073	820	1,307
	Greenwich	3,265	1,045	2,220		1,331	1,038	1,648
	Hackney	4,895	1,235	3,655		2,470	1,656	3,256
	Hammersmith and Fulham	3,135	995	2,135		2,220	1,760	2,674
	Haringey	2,285	710	1,575		1,085	793	1,374
	Harrow	4,010	1,355	2,655		1,742	1,275	2,223
	Havering	3,175	1,230	1,945		1,293	1,094	1,485
	Hillingdon	3,610	1,315	2,295		1,320	1,074	1,577
	Hounslow	2,980	1,095	1,885		1,269	1,025	1,531
	Islington	1,980	660	1,320		1,245	955	1,535
	Lambeth	6,170	1,890	4,280		2,606	1,946	3,268
	Lewisham	3,870	1,125	2,745		1,544	1,127	1,952
	Merton	1,655	660	995		963	870	1,062
	Newham	4,200	1,360	2,840		1,771	1,351	2,236
	Redbridge	3,085	1,090	1,995		1,181	930	1,449
	Richmond upon Thames	1,290	510	785		730	621	828
	Southwark	7,005	2,280	4,725		2,912	2,363	3,484
	Sutton	1,735	610	1,125		913	699	1,109
	Tower Hamlets	3,215	1,045	2,170		1,640	1,191	2,119
	Waltham Forest	3,100	975	2,125		1,363	1,031	1,707
	Wandsworth	2,550	995	1,555		1,116	1,037	1,193
	Kensington and Chelsea	1,495	580	920		1,023	883	1,181
	Kingston upon Thames	1,495	580	915		968	866	1,082
	Westminster	3,110	1,155	1,955		1,437	1,182	1,724
	SOUTH EAST	104,425	38,855	65,565		1,176	907	1,446
	Bracknell Forest	900	315	585		793	602	985
	Brighton and Hove	2,120	825	1,295		841	709	982
	Buckinghamshire	6,220	2,455	3,760		1,206	980	1,427
	East Sussex	6,865	2,775	4,085		1,180	961	1,395
	Hampshire	15,270	5,535	9,730		1,106	811	1,395
	Isle of Wight	2,675	1,105	1,570		1,729	1,373	2,093
	Kent	20,280	8,015	12,260		1,315	1,070	1,558
	Medway	4,745	1,650	3,095		1,819	1,361	2,275
	Milton Keynes	3,590	1,290	2,300		1,503	1,178	1,828
	Oxfordshire	4,790	1,570	3,220		728	502	961
	Portsmouth	2,775	900	1,875		1,469	1,034	1,918
	Reading	775	300	475		588	474	704
	Windsor and Maidenhead	2,420	1,025	1,395		1,678	1,474	1,881
	Slough	3,260	1,165	2,095		2,857	2,250	3,474
	Southampton	5,325	1,815	3,510		2,506	1,926	3,148
	Surrey	9,380	3,230	6,150		828	583	1,068
	West Berkshire	725	310	415		466	406	526
	West Sussex	11,655	4,315	7,340		1,347	1,003	1,687
	Wokingham	660	255	405		413	328	497
	SOUTH WEST	94,905	33,095	61,805		1,687	1,183	2,205
	Bath and North East Somerset	2,260	835	1,425		1,258	986	1,548
	Poole	2,345	785	1,560		1,529	1,030	2,025
	Bournemouth	4,060	1,780	2,280		2,263	2,095	2,479
	Bristol, City of	9,185	2,430	6,755		2,168	1,441	2,940
	Cornwall	14,525	5,250	9,270		2,515	1,749	3,271
	Devon	7,705	2,925	4,780		924	683	1,173
	Dorset	5,650	2,405	3,245		1,175	967	1,397
	Gloucestershire	13,620	4,935	8,685		2,175	1,562	2,798
	Isles of Scilly	45	20	25		1,940	1,495	2,388
	North Somerset	3,605	1,075	2,530		1,748	974	2,496
	Plymouth	4,270	1,465	2,805		1,705	1,244	2,183
	Somerset	8,560	2,965	5,595		1,537	1,010	2,063
	South Gloucestershire	6,205	1,710	4,495		2,233	1,292	3,184
	Swindon	2,800	945	1,855		1,334	939	1,725
	Torbay	2,740	925	1,815		2,009	1,255	2,772
	Wiltshire	7,340	2,650	4,685		1,483	1,062	1,924
Finished Admission Episodes with a primary or secondary diagnosis of obesity, by region and Local Authority of residence, and gender. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics ; NHS Digital

HOW DOES YOUR REGION RANK IN HOSPITAL OBESITY-RELATED ADMISSION?   Admissions Admissions per 100,000 of population All persons Male Female ALL PERSONS Male Female ENGLAND 875,663 305,073 570,568 1,615 1,193 2,042 NORTH EAST 31,855 11,540 20,315 1,206 906 1,503 Darlington 940 340 600 892 662 1,113 County Durham 6,535 2,510 4,025 1,230 963 1,493 Gateshead 1,990 525 1,465 979 544 1,415 Hartlepool 1,660 545 1,115 1,832 1,251 2,399 Middlesbrough 940 350 590 731 571 886 Newcastle upon Tyne 2,150 620 1,530 780 533 1,048 North Tyneside 2,815 995 1,815 1,343 983 1,678 Northumberland 4,580 1,670 2,910 1,381 977 1,776 Redcar and Cleveland 895 320 575 661 479 830 South Tyneside 1,550 635 915 1,023 877 1,173 Stockton-on-Tees 3,035 1,130 1,900 1,586 1,238 1,932 Sunderland 4,770 1,895 2,875 1,709 1,426 1,994 NORTH WEST 130,705 48,565 82,135 1,842 1,434 2,253 Blackburn with Darwen 3,710 1,190 2,515 2,782 1,892 3,680 Blackpool 3,300 1,250 2,050 2,387 1,797 2,985 Bolton 2,425 1,105 1,320 907 851 963 Bury 2,350 845 1,505 1,278 963 1,589 Cheshire East 6,800 2,305 4,490 1,823 1,176 2,464 Cheshire West and Chester 5,600 1,775 3,825 1,669 1,044 2,275 Cumbria 6,710 2,625 4,080 1,299 972 1,637 Halton 2,215 875 1,340 1,764 1,442 2,075 Knowsley 2,205 745 1,460 1,510 1,102 1,866 Lancashire 22,045 8,470 13,570 1,831 1,432 2,229 Liverpool 6,350 2,130 4,220 1,389 1,066 1,744 Manchester 8,815 2,745 6,065 2,094 1,600 2,623 Oldham 2,865 995 1,870 1,327 991 1,661 Rochdale 2,955 1,035 1,920 1,429 1,079 1,781 Salford 6,420 2,345 4,075 2,853 2,247 3,476 Sefton 3,685 1,395 2,290 1,316 1,004 1,635 St. Helens 2,595 1,070 1,530 1,443 1,209 1,683 Stockport 7,385 2,935 4,450 2,560 2,097 2,995 Tameside 2,475 1,080 1,395 1,135 1,014 1,249 Trafford 4,220 1,620 2,600 1,905 1,560 2,250 Warrington 2,655 980 1,675 1,288 979 1,606 Wigan 10,665 4,495 6,170 3,318 2,863 3,781 Wirral 12,270 4,545 7,725 3,804 2,884 4,706 YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER 91,745 31,625 60,120 1,719 1,250 2,192 Barnsley 2,760 1,030 1,730 1,126 848 1,397 Calderdale 3,310 1,060 2,245 1,625 1,062 2,180 Bradford 13,940 4,905 9,040 2,936 2,228 3,640 Doncaster 5,310 1,715 3,595 1,731 1,147 2,339 East Riding of Yorkshire 6,075 2,415 3,660 1,683 1,274 2,105 Kingston upon Hull, City of 3,220 905 2,315 1,272 814 1,752 Kirklees 7,030 1,960 5,070 1,663 977 2,356 Leeds 6,205 2,025 4,180 859 629 1,085 North East Lincolnshire 2,220 780 1,440 1,401 1,009 1,801 North Lincolnshire 1,695 565 1,125 972 642 1,304 North Yorkshire 13,085 5,205 7,885 2,034 1,582 2,522 Rotherham 6,330 2,090 4,240 2,430 1,636 3,202 Sheffield 5,890 2,140 3,750 1,099 852 1,344 Wakefield 8,035 2,350 5,685 2,356 1,410 3,265 York 6,640 2,475 4,160 3,321 2,743 3,946 EAST MIDLANDS 110,605 37,815 72,785 2,343 1,661 3,030 Derby 6,495 1,715 4,780 2,679 1,605 3,768 Derbyshire 19,025 6,395 12,630 2,375 1,564 3,171 Leicester 5,230 1,445 3,785 1,756 1,116 2,396 Leicestershire 12,915 4,530 8,380 1,861 1,320 2,394 Lincolnshire 12,035 4,195 7,840 1,567 1,073 2,061 Northamptonshire 21,080 7,640 13,440 2,959 2,231 3,702 Nottingham 8,805 2,570 6,235 3,205 2,274 4,216 Nottinghamshire 24,545 9,150 15,390 2,971 2,244 3,699 Rutland 480 175 300 1,167 817 1,591 WEST MIDLANDS 120,970 38,155 82,815 2,121 1,416 2,835 Birmingham 15,390 3,615 11,775 1,514 868 2,148 Coventry 8,555 2,855 5,700 2,814 2,115 3,533 Dudley 6,910 1,825 5,085 2,210 1,182 3,205 Herefordshire, County of 2,520 820 1,700 1,305 794 1,850 Sandwell 4,430 1,315 3,110 1,465 963 1,970 Shropshire 6,135 2,355 3,780 1,808 1,354 2,295 Solihull 2,745 715 2,030 1,336 692 1,968 Staffordshire 22,985 7,830 15,160 2,595 1,759 3,465 Stoke-on-Trent 8,040 1,780 6,260 3,154 1,526 4,872 Telford and Wrekin 4,050 1,380 2,670 2,404 1,753 3,091 Walsall 6,150 1,795 4,355 2,291 1,428 3,124 Warwickshire 12,080 4,485 7,595 2,117 1,593 2,646 Wolverhampton 6,975 2,035 4,940 2,806 1,805 3,839 Worcestershire 14,010 5,355 8,655 2,308 1,762 2,847 EAST OF ENGLAND 82,555 29,415 53,140 1,361 1,000 1,721 Bedford 2,090 850 1,240 1,296 1,103 1,486 Cambridgeshire 7,750 3,120 4,630 1,224 1,014 1,452 Central Bedfordshire 4,270 1,465 2,805 1,547 1,107 1,980 Essex 14,765 5,480 9,285 1,010 765 1,250 Hertfordshire 17,165 5,950 11,215 1,543 1,144 1,923 Luton 4,280 1,310 2,970 2,264 1,588 2,997 Norfolk 14,020 4,815 9,205 1,522 1,032 2,016 Peterborough 2,060 655 1,410 1,105 774 1,461 Southend-on-Sea 1,480 540 940 827 626 1,027 Suffolk 13,265 4,775 8,490 1,732 1,235 2,247 Thurrock 1,405 460 950 891 636 1,126 LONDON 107,675 35,865 71,805 1,418 1,105 1,738 City of London 80 40 40 919 803 1,064 Barking and Dagenham 2,875 860 2,015 1,680 1,234 2,121 Barnet 3,240 1,050 2,190 926 698 1,159 Bexley 3,225 1,235 1,990 1,407 1,201 1,606 Brent 6,145 2,080 4,065 2,161 1,635 2,726 Bromley 3,815 1,200 2,615 1,203 839 1,538 Camden 1,580 560 1,020 765 614 921 Croydon 3,720 1,120 2,600 1,048 714 1,358 Ealing 6,590 2,180 4,410 2,222 1,668 2,797 Enfield 3,095 1,045 2,050 1,073 820 1,307 Greenwich 3,265 1,045 2,220 1,331 1,038 1,648 Hackney 4,895 1,235 3,655 2,470 1,656 3,256 Hammersmith and Fulham 3,135 995 2,135 2,220 1,760 2,674 Haringey 2,285 710 1,575 1,085 793 1,374 Harrow 4,010 1,355 2,655 1,742 1,275 2,223 Havering 3,175 1,230 1,945 1,293 1,094 1,485 Hillingdon 3,610 1,315 2,295 1,320 1,074 1,577 Hounslow 2,980 1,095 1,885 1,269 1,025 1,531 Islington 1,980 660 1,320 1,245 955 1,535 Lambeth 6,170 1,890 4,280 2,606 1,946 3,268 Lewisham 3,870 1,125 2,745 1,544 1,127 1,952 Merton 1,655 660 995 963 870 1,062 Newham 4,200 1,360 2,840 1,771 1,351 2,236 Redbridge 3,085 1,090 1,995 1,181 930 1,449 Richmond upon Thames 1,290 510 785 730 621 828 Southwark 7,005 2,280 4,725 2,912 2,363 3,484 Sutton 1,735 610 1,125 913 699 1,109 Tower Hamlets 3,215 1,045 2,170 1,640 1,191 2,119 Waltham Forest 3,100 975 2,125 1,363 1,031 1,707 Wandsworth 2,550 995 1,555 1,116 1,037 1,193 Kensington and Chelsea 1,495 580 920 1,023 883 1,181 Kingston upon Thames 1,495 580 915 968 866 1,082 Westminster 3,110 1,155 1,955 1,437 1,182 1,724 SOUTH EAST 104,425 38,855 65,565 1,176 907 1,446 Bracknell Forest 900 315 585 793 602 985 Brighton and Hove 2,120 825 1,295 841 709 982 Buckinghamshire 6,220 2,455 3,760 1,206 980 1,427 East Sussex 6,865 2,775 4,085 1,180 961 1,395 Hampshire 15,270 5,535 9,730 1,106 811 1,395 Isle of Wight 2,675 1,105 1,570 1,729 1,373 2,093 Kent 20,280 8,015 12,260 1,315 1,070 1,558 Medway 4,745 1,650 3,095 1,819 1,361 2,275 Milton Keynes 3,590 1,290 2,300 1,503 1,178 1,828 Oxfordshire 4,790 1,570 3,220 728 502 961 Portsmouth 2,775 900 1,875 1,469 1,034 1,918 Reading 775 300 475 588 474 704 Windsor and Maidenhead 2,420 1,025 1,395 1,678 1,474 1,881 Slough 3,260 1,165 2,095 2,857 2,250 3,474 Southampton 5,325 1,815 3,510 2,506 1,926 3,148 Surrey 9,380 3,230 6,150 828 583 1,068 West Berkshire 725 310 415 466 406 526 West Sussex 11,655 4,315 7,340 1,347 1,003 1,687 Wokingham 660 255 405 413 328 497 SOUTH WEST 94,905 33,095 61,805 1,687 1,183 2,205 Bath and North East Somerset 2,260 835 1,425 1,258 986 1,548 Poole 2,345 785 1,560 1,529 1,030 2,025 Bournemouth 4,060 1,780 2,280 2,263 2,095 2,479 Bristol, City of 9,185 2,430 6,755 2,168 1,441 2,940 Cornwall 14,525 5,250 9,270 2,515 1,749 3,271 Devon 7,705 2,925 4,780 924 683 1,173 Dorset 5,650 2,405 3,245 1,175 967 1,397 Gloucestershire 13,620 4,935 8,685 2,175 1,562 2,798 Isles of Scilly 45 20 25 1,940 1,495 2,388 North Somerset 3,605 1,075 2,530 1,748 974 2,496 Plymouth 4,270 1,465 2,805 1,705 1,244 2,183 Somerset 8,560 2,965 5,595 1,537 1,010 2,063 South Gloucestershire 6,205 1,710 4,495 2,233 1,292 3,184 Swindon 2,800 945 1,855 1,334 939 1,725 Torbay 2,740 925 1,815 2,009 1,255 2,772 Wiltshire 7,340 2,650 4,685 1,483 1,062 1,924 Admissions Admissions per 100,000 of population AdmissionsAdmissions per 100,000 of population All persons Male Female ALL PERSONS Male Female All personsMaleFemaleALL PERSONSMaleFemale ENGLAND 875,663 305,073 570,568 1,615 1,193 2,042 ENGLAND875,663305,073570,5681,6151,1932,042 NORTH EAST 31,855 11,540 20,315 1,206 906 1,503 NORTH EAST31,85511,54020,3151,2069061,503 Darlington 940 340 600 892 662 1,113 Darlington9403406008926621,113 County Durham 6,535 2,510 4,025 1,230 963 1,493 County Durham6,5352,5104,0251,2309631,493 Gateshead 1,990 525 1,465 979 544 1,415 Gateshead1,9905251,4659795441,415 Hartlepool 1,660 545 1,115 1,832 1,251 2,399 Hartlepool1,6605451,1151,8321,2512,399 Middlesbrough 940 350 590 731 571 886 Middlesbrough940350590731571886 Newcastle upon Tyne 2,150 620 1,530 780 533 1,048 Newcastle upon Tyne2,1506201,5307805331,048 North Tyneside 2,815 995 1,815 1,343 983 1,678 North Tyneside2,8159951,8151,3439831,678 Northumberland 4,580 1,670 2,910 1,381 977 1,776 Northumberland4,5801,6702,9101,3819771,776 Redcar and Cleveland 895 320 575 661 479 830 Redcar and Cleveland895320575661479830 South Tyneside 1,550 635 915 1,023 877 1,173 South Tyneside1,5506359151,0238771,173 Stockton-on-Tees 3,035 1,130 1,900 1,586 1,238 1,932 Stockton-on-Tees3,0351,1301,9001,5861,2381,932 Sunderland 4,770 1,895 2,875 1,709 1,426 1,994 Sunderland4,7701,8952,8751,7091,4261,994 NORTH WEST 130,705 48,565 82,135 1,842 1,434 2,253 NORTH WEST130,70548,56582,1351,8421,4342,253 Blackburn with Darwen 3,710 1,190 2,515 2,782 1,892 3,680 Blackburn with Darwen3,7101,1902,5152,7821,8923,680 Blackpool 3,300 1,250 2,050 2,387 1,797 2,985 Blackpool3,3001,2502,0502,3871,7972,985 Bolton 2,425 1,105 1,320 907 851 963 Bolton2,4251,1051,320907851963 Bury 2,350 845 1,505 1,278 963 1,589 Bury2,3508451,5051,2789631,589 Cheshire East 6,800 2,305 4,490 1,823 1,176 2,464 Cheshire East6,8002,3054,4901,8231,1762,464 Cheshire West and Chester 5,600 1,775 3,825 1,669 1,044 2,275 Cheshire West and Chester5,6001,7753,8251,6691,0442,275 Cumbria 6,710 2,625 4,080 1,299 972 1,637 Cumbria6,7102,6254,0801,2999721,637 Halton 2,215 875 1,340 1,764 1,442 2,075 Halton2,2158751,3401,7641,4422,075 Knowsley 2,205 745 1,460 1,510 1,102 1,866 Knowsley2,2057451,4601,5101,1021,866 Lancashire 22,045 8,470 13,570 1,831 1,432 2,229 Lancashire22,0458,47013,5701,8311,4322,229 Liverpool 6,350 2,130 4,220 1,389 1,066 1,744 Liverpool6,3502,1304,2201,3891,0661,744 Manchester 8,815 2,745 6,065 2,094 1,600 2,623 Manchester8,8152,7456,0652,0941,6002,623 Oldham 2,865 995 1,870 1,327 991 1,661 Oldham2,8659951,8701,3279911,661 Rochdale 2,955 1,035 1,920 1,429 1,079 1,781 Rochdale2,9551,0351,9201,4291,0791,781 Salford 6,420 2,345 4,075 2,853 2,247 3,476 Salford6,4202,3454,0752,8532,2473,476 Sefton 3,685 1,395 2,290 1,316 1,004 1,635 Sefton3,6851,3952,2901,3161,0041,635 St. Helens 2,595 1,070 1,530 1,443 1,209 1,683 St. Helens2,5951,0701,5301,4431,2091,683 Stockport 7,385 2,935 4,450 2,560 2,097 2,995 Stockport7,3852,9354,4502,5602,0972,995 Tameside 2,475 1,080 1,395 1,135 1,014 1,249 Tameside2,4751,0801,3951,1351,0141,249 Trafford 4,220 1,620 2,600 1,905 1,560 2,250 Trafford4,2201,6202,6001,9051,5602,250 Warrington 2,655 980 1,675 1,288 979 1,606 Warrington2,6559801,6751,2889791,606 Wigan 10,665 4,495 6,170 3,318 2,863 3,781 Wigan10,6654,4956,1703,3182,8633,781 Wirral 12,270 4,545 7,725 3,804 2,884 4,706 Wirral12,2704,5457,7253,8042,8844,706 YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER 91,745 31,625 60,120 1,719 1,250 2,192 YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER91,74531,62560,1201,7191,2502,192 Barnsley 2,760 1,030 1,730 1,126 848 1,397 Barnsley2,7601,0301,7301,1268481,397 Calderdale 3,310 1,060 2,245 1,625 1,062 2,180 Calderdale3,3101,0602,2451,6251,0622,180 Bradford 13,940 4,905 9,040 2,936 2,228 3,640 Bradford13,9404,9059,0402,9362,2283,640 Doncaster 5,310 1,715 3,595 1,731 1,147 2,339 Doncaster5,3101,7153,5951,7311,1472,339 East Riding of Yorkshire 6,075 2,415 3,660 1,683 1,274 2,105 East Riding of Yorkshire6,0752,4153,6601,6831,2742,105 Kingston upon Hull, City of 3,220 905 2,315 1,272 814 1,752 Kingston upon Hull, City of3,2209052,3151,2728141,752 Kirklees 7,030 1,960 5,070 1,663 977 2,356 Kirklees7,0301,9605,0701,6639772,356 Leeds 6,205 2,025 4,180 859 629 1,085 Leeds6,2052,0254,1808596291,085 North East Lincolnshire 2,220 780 1,440 1,401 1,009 1,801 North East Lincolnshire2,2207801,4401,4011,0091,801 North Lincolnshire 1,695 565 1,125 972 642 1,304 North Lincolnshire1,6955651,1259726421,304 North Yorkshire 13,085 5,205 7,885 2,034 1,582 2,522 North Yorkshire13,0855,2057,8852,0341,5822,522 Rotherham 6,330 2,090 4,240 2,430 1,636 3,202 Rotherham6,3302,0904,2402,4301,6363,202 Sheffield 5,890 2,140 3,750 1,099 852 1,344 Sheffield5,8902,1403,7501,0998521,344 Wakefield 8,035 2,350 5,685 2,356 1,410 3,265 Wakefield8,0352,3505,6852,3561,4103,265 York 6,640 2,475 4,160 3,321 2,743 3,946 York6,6402,4754,1603,3212,7433,946 EAST MIDLANDS 110,605 37,815 72,785 2,343 1,661 3,030 EAST MIDLANDS110,60537,81572,7852,3431,6613,030 Derby 6,495 1,715 4,780 2,679 1,605 3,768 Derby6,4951,7154,7802,6791,6053,768 Derbyshire 19,025 6,395 12,630 2,375 1,564 3,171 Derbyshire19,0256,39512,6302,3751,5643,171 Leicester 5,230 1,445 3,785 1,756 1,116 2,396 Leicester5,2301,4453,7851,7561,1162,396 Leicestershire 12,915 4,530 8,380 1,861 1,320 2,394 Leicestershire12,9154,5308,3801,8611,3202,394 Lincolnshire 12,035 4,195 7,840 1,567 1,073 2,061 Lincolnshire12,0354,1957,8401,5671,0732,061 Northamptonshire 21,080 7,640 13,440 2,959 2,231 3,702 Northamptonshire21,0807,64013,4402,9592,2313,702 Nottingham 8,805 2,570 6,235 3,205 2,274 4,216 Nottingham8,8052,5706,2353,2052,2744,216 Nottinghamshire 24,545 9,150 15,390 2,971 2,244 3,699 Nottinghamshire24,5459,15015,3902,9712,2443,699 Rutland 480 175 300 1,167 817 1,591 Rutland 4801753001,1678171,591 WEST MIDLANDS 120,970 38,155 82,815 2,121 1,416 2,835 WEST MIDLANDS120,97038,15582,8152,1211,4162,835 Birmingham 15,390 3,615 11,775 1,514 868 2,148 Birmingham15,3903,61511,7751,5148682,148 Coventry 8,555 2,855 5,700 2,814 2,115 3,533 Coventry8,5552,8555,7002,8142,1153,533 Dudley 6,910 1,825 5,085 2,210 1,182 3,205 Dudley6,9101,8255,0852,2101,1823,205 Herefordshire, County of 2,520 820 1,700 1,305 794 1,850 Herefordshire, County of2,5208201,7001,3057941,850 Sandwell 4,430 1,315 3,110 1,465 963 1,970 Sandwell4,4301,3153,1101,4659631,970 Shropshire 6,135 2,355 3,780 1,808 1,354 2,295 Shropshire6,1352,3553,7801,8081,3542,295 Solihull 2,745 715 2,030 1,336 692 1,968 Solihull2,7457152,0301,3366921,968 Staffordshire 22,985 7,830 15,160 2,595 1,759 3,465 Staffordshire22,9857,83015,1602,5951,7593,465 Stoke-on-Trent 8,040 1,780 6,260 3,154 1,526 4,872 Stoke-on-Trent8,0401,7806,2603,1541,5264,872 Telford and Wrekin 4,050 1,380 2,670 2,404 1,753 3,091 Telford and Wrekin4,0501,3802,6702,4041,7533,091 Walsall 6,150 1,795 4,355 2,291 1,428 3,124 Walsall6,1501,7954,3552,2911,4283,124 Warwickshire 12,080 4,485 7,595 2,117 1,593 2,646 Warwickshire12,0804,4857,5952,1171,5932,646 Wolverhampton 6,975 2,035 4,940 2,806 1,805 3,839 Wolverhampton6,9752,0354,9402,8061,8053,839 Worcestershire 14,010 5,355 8,655 2,308 1,762 2,847 Worcestershire14,0105,3558,6552,3081,7622,847 EAST OF ENGLAND 82,555 29,415 53,140 1,361 1,000 1,721 EAST OF ENGLAND82,55529,41553,1401,3611,0001,721 Bedford 2,090 850 1,240 1,296 1,103 1,486 Bedford2,0908501,2401,2961,1031,486 Cambridgeshire 7,750 3,120 4,630 1,224 1,014 1,452 Cambridgeshire7,7503,1204,6301,2241,0141,452 Central Bedfordshire 4,270 1,465 2,805 1,547 1,107 1,980 Central Bedfordshire4,2701,4652,8051,5471,1071,980 Essex 14,765 5,480 9,285 1,010 765 1,250 Essex14,7655,4809,2851,0107651,250 Hertfordshire 17,165 5,950 11,215 1,543 1,144 1,923 Hertfordshire17,1655,95011,2151,5431,1441,923 Luton 4,280 1,310 2,970 2,264 1,588 2,997 Luton4,2801,3102,9702,2641,5882,997 Norfolk 14,020 4,815 9,205 1,522 1,032 2,016 Norfolk14,0204,8159,2051,5221,0322,016 Peterborough 2,060 655 1,410 1,105 774 1,461 Peterborough2,0606551,4101,1057741,461 Southend-on-Sea 1,480 540 940 827 626 1,027 Southend-on-Sea1,4805409408276261,027 Suffolk 13,265 4,775 8,490 1,732 1,235 2,247 Suffolk13,2654,7758,4901,7321,2352,247 Thurrock 1,405 460 950 891 636 1,126 Thurrock1,4054609508916361,126 LONDON 107,675 35,865 71,805 1,418 1,105 1,738 LONDON107,67535,86571,8051,4181,1051,738 City of London 80 40 40 919 803 1,064 City of London8040409198031,064 Barking and Dagenham 2,875 860 2,015 1,680 1,234 2,121 Barking and Dagenham2,8758602,0151,6801,2342,121 Barnet 3,240 1,050 2,190 926 698 1,159 Barnet3,2401,0502,1909266981,159 Bexley 3,225 1,235 1,990 1,407 1,201 1,606 Bexley3,2251,2351,9901,4071,2011,606 Brent 6,145 2,080 4,065 2,161 1,635 2,726 Brent6,1452,0804,0652,1611,6352,726 Bromley 3,815 1,200 2,615 1,203 839 1,538 Bromley3,8151,2002,6151,2038391,538 Camden 1,580 560 1,020 765 614 921 Camden1,5805601,020765614921 Croydon 3,720 1,120 2,600 1,048 714 1,358 Croydon3,7201,1202,6001,0487141,358 Ealing 6,590 2,180 4,410 2,222 1,668 2,797 Ealing6,5902,1804,4102,2221,6682,797 Enfield 3,095 1,045 2,050 1,073 820 1,307 Enfield3,0951,0452,0501,0738201,307 Greenwich 3,265 1,045 2,220 1,331 1,038 1,648 Greenwich3,2651,0452,2201,3311,0381,648 Hackney 4,895 1,235 3,655 2,470 1,656 3,256 Hackney4,8951,2353,6552,4701,6563,256 Hammersmith and Fulham 3,135 995 2,135 2,220 1,760 2,674 Hammersmith and Fulham3,1359952,1352,2201,7602,674 Haringey 2,285 710 1,575 1,085 793 1,374 Haringey2,2857101,5751,0857931,374 Harrow 4,010 1,355 2,655 1,742 1,275 2,223 Harrow4,0101,3552,6551,7421,2752,223 Havering 3,175 1,230 1,945 1,293 1,094 1,485 Havering3,1751,2301,9451,2931,0941,485 Hillingdon 3,610 1,315 2,295 1,320 1,074 1,577 Hillingdon3,6101,3152,2951,3201,0741,577 Hounslow 2,980 1,095 1,885 1,269 1,025 1,531 Hounslow2,9801,0951,8851,2691,0251,531 Islington 1,980 660 1,320 1,245 955 1,535 Islington1,9806601,3201,2459551,535 Lambeth 6,170 1,890 4,280 2,606 1,946 3,268 Lambeth6,1701,8904,2802,6061,9463,268 Lewisham 3,870 1,125 2,745 1,544 1,127 1,952 Lewisham3,8701,1252,7451,5441,1271,952 Merton 1,655 660 995 963 870 1,062 Merton1,6556609959638701,062 Newham 4,200 1,360 2,840 1,771 1,351 2,236 Newham4,2001,3602,8401,7711,3512,236 Redbridge 3,085 1,090 1,995 1,181 930 1,449 Redbridge3,0851,0901,9951,1819301,449 Richmond upon Thames 1,290 510 785 730 621 828 Richmond upon Thames1,290510785730621828 Southwark 7,005 2,280 4,725 2,912 2,363 3,484 Southwark7,0052,2804,7252,9122,3633,484 Sutton 1,735 610 1,125 913 699 1,109 Sutton1,7356101,1259136991,109 Tower Hamlets 3,215 1,045 2,170 1,640 1,191 2,119 Tower Hamlets3,2151,0452,1701,6401,1912,119 Waltham Forest 3,100 975 2,125 1,363 1,031 1,707 Waltham Forest3,1009752,1251,3631,0311,707 Wandsworth 2,550 995 1,555 1,116 1,037 1,193 Wandsworth2,5509951,5551,1161,0371,193 Kensington and Chelsea 1,495 580 920 1,023 883 1,181 Kensington and Chelsea1,4955809201,0238831,181 Kingston upon Thames 1,495 580 915 968 866 1,082 Kingston upon Thames1,4955809159688661,082 Westminster 3,110 1,155 1,955 1,437 1,182 1,724 Westminster3,1101,1551,9551,4371,1821,724 SOUTH EAST 104,425 38,855 65,565 1,176 907 1,446 SOUTH EAST104,42538,85565,5651,1769071,446 Bracknell Forest 900 315 585 793 602 985 Bracknell Forest900315585793602985 Brighton and Hove 2,120 825 1,295 841 709 982 Brighton and Hove2,1208251,295841709982 Buckinghamshire 6,220 2,455 3,760 1,206 980 1,427 Buckinghamshire6,2202,4553,7601,2069801,427 East Sussex 6,865 2,775 4,085 1,180 961 1,395 East Sussex6,8652,7754,0851,1809611,395 Hampshire 15,270 5,535 9,730 1,106 811 1,395 Hampshire15,2705,5359,7301,1068111,395 Isle of Wight 2,675 1,105 1,570 1,729 1,373 2,093 Isle of Wight2,6751,1051,5701,7291,3732,093 Kent 20,280 8,015 12,260 1,315 1,070 1,558 Kent20,2808,01512,2601,3151,0701,558 Medway 4,745 1,650 3,095 1,819 1,361 2,275 Medway4,7451,6503,0951,8191,3612,275 Milton Keynes 3,590 1,290 2,300 1,503 1,178 1,828 Milton Keynes3,5901,2902,3001,5031,1781,828 Oxfordshire 4,790 1,570 3,220 728 502 961 Oxfordshire4,7901,5703,220728502961 Portsmouth 2,775 900 1,875 1,469 1,034 1,918 Portsmouth2,7759001,8751,4691,0341,918 Reading 775 300 475 588 474 704 Reading775300475588474704 Windsor and Maidenhead 2,420 1,025 1,395 1,678 1,474 1,881 Windsor and Maidenhead2,4201,0251,3951,6781,4741,881 Slough 3,260 1,165 2,095 2,857 2,250 3,474 Slough3,2601,1652,0952,8572,2503,474 Southampton 5,325 1,815 3,510 2,506 1,926 3,148 Southampton5,3251,8153,5102,5061,9263,148 Surrey 9,380 3,230 6,150 828 583 1,068 Surrey9,3803,2306,1508285831,068 West Berkshire 725 310 415 466 406 526 West Berkshire725310415466406526 West Sussex 11,655 4,315 7,340 1,347 1,003 1,687 West Sussex11,6554,3157,3401,3471,0031,687 Wokingham 660 255 405 413 328 497 Wokingham660255405413328497 SOUTH WEST 94,905 33,095 61,805 1,687 1,183 2,205 SOUTH WEST94,90533,09561,8051,6871,1832,205 Bath and North East Somerset 2,260 835 1,425 1,258 986 1,548 Bath and North East Somerset2,2608351,4251,2589861,548 Poole 2,345 785 1,560 1,529 1,030 2,025 Poole2,3457851,5601,5291,0302,025 Bournemouth 4,060 1,780 2,280 2,263 2,095 2,479 Bournemouth4,0601,7802,2802,2632,0952,479 Bristol, City of 9,185 2,430 6,755 2,168 1,441 2,940 Bristol, City of9,1852,4306,7552,1681,4412,940 Cornwall 14,525 5,250 9,270 2,515 1,749 3,271 Cornwall14,5255,2509,2702,5151,7493,271 Devon 7,705 2,925 4,780 924 683 1,173 Devon7,7052,9254,7809246831,173 Dorset 5,650 2,405 3,245 1,175 967 1,397 Dorset5,6502,4053,2451,1759671,397 Gloucestershire 13,620 4,935 8,685 2,175 1,562 2,798 Gloucestershire13,6204,9358,6852,1751,5622,798 Isles of Scilly 45 20 25 1,940 1,495 2,388 Isles of Scilly4520251,9401,4952,388 North Somerset 3,605 1,075 2,530 1,748 974 2,496 North Somerset3,6051,0752,5301,7489742,496 Plymouth 4,270 1,465 2,805 1,705 1,244 2,183 Plymouth4,2701,4652,8051,7051,2442,183 Somerset 8,560 2,965 5,595 1,537 1,010 2,063 Somerset8,5602,9655,5951,5371,0102,063 South Gloucestershire 6,205 1,710 4,495 2,233 1,292 3,184 South Gloucestershire6,2051,7104,4952,2331,2923,184 Swindon 2,800 945 1,855 1,334 939 1,725 Swindon2,8009451,8551,3349391,725 Torbay 2,740 925 1,815 2,009 1,255 2,772 Torbay2,7409251,8152,0091,2552,772 Wiltshire 7,340 2,650 4,685 1,483 1,062 1,924 Wiltshire7,3402,6504,6851,4831,0621,924Finished Admission Episodes with a primary or secondary diagnosis of obesity, by region and Local Authority of residence, and gender. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics ; NHS DigitalFinished Admission Episodes with a primary or secondary diagnosis of obesity, by region and Local Authority of residence, and gender. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics ; NHS DigitalFinished Admission Episodes with a primary or secondary diagnosis of obesity, by region and Local Authority of residence, and gender. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics ; NHS Digital

Admission rates overall for the country ranged from 413 to 3,804 per 100,000 population, with the highest admission rate over nine times greater than the lowest rate. 

The national rate was 1,615 per 100,000 population.

For admissions directly attributable to obesity, the number increases to middle age, peaking at 45 and 54, before declining in older age groups. 

Seventy percent of patients were aged between 35 and 64.

NHS figures for England reveal there were 876,000 admissions last year linked to obesity, with women making up two in three patients. 

And nearly 700 children required hospital treatment because of their weight – the second highest number on record.

Health officials have warned the crisis is likely to have worsened during the Covid pandemic, with millions of children stuck at home and doing less exercise. 

NHS figures for England reveal there were 876,000 admissions last year linked to obesity, with women making up two in three patients. (File image)

Meanwhile, Wokingham and West Berkshire both recorded admission rates below 500 per 100,000 population

There were over 11,000 hospital admissions directly attributable to obesity in 2018-19 – up 4% on the previous year.

An increase in gastric band surgery is one of the reasons behind the rise.

Those from deprived areas were more likely to be admitted to hospital because of obesity, the data suggests.

A third of children and two thirds of adults in Britain are overweight. 

Meanwhile, another study has found that obese people may suffer more from Covid-19 because their weight damages their immune system.

The researchers, from the University of Michigan, found that people who are seriously overweight are more likely to suffer from severe coronavirus symptoms.

And this could be because their excess weight means their immune systems are constantly under strain and running at a higher baseline than people of a healthy weight. 

High levels of fat and sugar in the blood can trigger swelling inside the blood vessels and organs. 

As a result, when someone gets an infection, their already-running immune system is closer to tipping over the edge into over-reaction than a healthy person's is.

The body's own overreaction, which can cause sepsis and deadly organ damage, has been seen repeatedly in the sickest patients with Covid-19.

And it could go some way to explaining why overweight people face a higher risk of dying if they catch the illness, which is borne out in official hospital data around the world.

Why obese people may be more at risk of becoming very ill from Covid

Studies have shown obese people are more likely to suffer serious complications or die from infections, such as the flu. 

Doctors say the immune systems of fat people are constantly ramped up as they try to protect and repair the damage inflammation causes to cells. 

Using all its energy fending off inflammation means the body's defence system has few resources left to defend against a new infection like Covid-19. 

Dr Dyan Sellayah, a lecturer in cellular and organismal metabolism, University of Reading, said obese people tend to have dysfunctional immune systems.

'Their fat tissue for example becomes a reservoir for immune cells known as macrophages. While these cells reside in our fat under normal circumstances, in obesity they are at higher frequency and become more troublesome (they start to secrete inflammatory cytokines) and negatively impact on immune and metabolic health.' 

Obese people might eat a diet with very little fibre and antioxidants - which keep the immune system healthy - such as fruit and vegetables.  

Most patients with a BMI of over 40 suffer from breathing problems that range from simple shortness of breath to a potentially life-threatening condition known as obesity hypoventilation syndrome .

Public Health England has previously suggested that obesity leads to fatty tissue around the upper airway, and a heavy chest can directly reduce lung function. 

Excess weight may make it more difficult for the diaphragm and lungs to expand and inhale oxygen. Starved of oxygen, organs will begin to fail.  

But other experts have disagreed with this theory, saying severely ill Covid-19 patients end up on ventilators anyway and still end up with worse outcomes. 

There are several other factors that may increase an obese person's chance of falling seriously ill with coronavirus, including a lack of exercise.

Studies have shown that physical activity increases the numbers of certain immune cells that help to bolster immune activity.  

Clogged-up arteries also make it hard for blood carrying immune cells to pass through and repair cells around the body.