A new study reveals a high body mass index raises the risk for severe COVID-19 and admission to intensive care units among African Americans.
According to UPI, BMI is a calculation based on a person's height and weight and identifies whether they are overweight or obese.
Novel coronavirus COVID-19 intensive care unit patients had a higher average body mass index than those who weren't admitted to the ICU.
ICU patients had an average BMI of 36.5, as opposed to an average BMI of 31.9 among other patients. Both levels are within the range of obesity.
In addition, they found patients who needed to be in intensive care were older -- on average, age 62 versus 55.
This study is of particular interest in response to emerging reports revealing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the African American community in our country. Study co-author Dr. Christine Bojanowski Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans