Publications
Partners
Being obese increases one's likelihood of developing diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. And in pregnancy excess weight may lead to serious health problems for both mother and child.
A recent study has shown that overweight people are also twice as inclined to get sick, despite being vaccinated against the flu.
Even though a flu shot is the best way to avoid getting sick, new research reveals the vaccine doesn't work as well for people who are obese.
Another factor is that the virus that you might have might not be the exact same as the version of the vaccine you received.
Chronic health issues
Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found obese people who got a flu shot were twice as likely as their normal-weight peers to still get sick.
Obesity is tied to an increased risk for several chronic health issues, the study authors explained. People who are obese are also more likely to die from the flu, they added.
For the study, the researchers compared effectiveness of the flu vaccine among 1 022 adults.
The flu shot
Health24 previously reported that every year a new flu shot is formulated, as the flu virus mutates. A new vaccine is needed every year to keep up with the changes in the flu virus itself.
Participants received the seasonal trivalent inactivated flu vaccine during the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 flu seasons. The researchers evaluated their symptoms and used lab tests to measure their immune system's response to the shot.
The World Health Organization reports that in Southern Africa influenza activity remains low and below the seasonal threshold.
The study, published recently in the International Journal of Obesity, found that nearly 10% of the obese people got the flu despite being vaccinated. That compares to about 5% of participants who were a healthy weight.
High-risk patients
"Vaccinated obese adults are twice as likely to develop influenza and influenza-like illnesses compared to vaccinated healthy weight adults," study co-author Melinda Beck said in a journal news release. She is a professor of nutrition at UNC's Gillings School of Global Public Health.
The researchers suggest the flu shot isn't as effective for obese people because their T-cells don't function as well as they should. T-cells, which are infection fighters, help guard against the flu and aid in recovery.
Understanding body functions
"Impaired cell functioning, despite the robust production of antibodies, may make vaccinated obese adults more susceptible to influenza infection," explained study lead author Scott Neidich who is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Duke University's Human Vaccine Institute, in Durham, North Carolina.
"Alternative approaches may be needed to protect obese adults from both seasonal and pandemic influenza virus infections."
Read more:
