Cutting extra weight can reduce risk of flu, other infections in diabetics

New Delhi: Losing weight comes with several benefits and now, scientists say that shedding those extra kilos around the waist could also reduce the risk of severe cases of flu and other infections in people with diabetes.

The study from Rhian Hopkins and Ethan de Villiers from University of Exeter in the UK found evidence to suggest that a higher body mass index (BMI) is a cause of severe infections.

In contrast, there was no evidence that mild hyperglycamia contributes to the likelihood of a severe infection, according to the study published in the journal Diabetologia.

“Up to one in three hospitalisations in people with diabetes are for infections and people with diabetes are twice as likely to be hospitalised with infections than the general population. They are also at high risk of readmission,” said Hopkins.

Previous studies have found that a higher BMI and poor blood sugar control are associated with severe infections.

However, these studies have been observational and so haven’t been able to prove that the links are causal.