People with higher BMI 'more likely to test positive for Covid'

People considered obese are more likely to catch Covid, according to a study (Getty Images)

People with a higher body mass index (BMI) are more likely to test positive for the virus that causes Covid-19, new research suggests.

A study by the Chaim Sheba Medical Centre in Israel found that patients who are classed as overweight – with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 – were 22% more likely to contract the virus than someone of “normal” weight with a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9.

That figure increased to 27% for those considered obese – with a BMI of 30 to 34.9 – and 86% for people classed as morbidly obese – a BMI at or above 40.

People with diabetes also more likely to test positive

The research, which has been presented at the European Congress on Obesity, looked at the relationship between BMI and the likelihood of testing positive for Sars-Cov-2, at the largest medical centre in the Middle East.

Obesity-related factors are believed to be associated with an increased risk of contracting various viral diseases.

Some 26,030 were tested as part of the study between March 16 and December 31 2020, among whom 1,178 positive Covid-19 results were recorded.

Researchers found the relationship between BMI and the probability of a patient testing positive remained significant even after age, sex and other medical conditions were considered.