OBESE persons belong to the A3 priority group or persons with comorbidities, said the Department of Health (DOH)-Central Visayas.
"Persons who are obese or individuals where their Body Mass Index (BMI) or their weight, height and age are higher than normal, that's why they can be considered as obese, can be included under A3," said DOH-Central Visayas spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche.
She said, though, that obese persons must secure a medical certificate to certify their being obese.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), overweight and obesity "are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health."
A BMI over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese, WHO said.
The following are examples of comorbid conditions under the A3 Priority Group, based on priority diseases that have a higher risk of severe Covid-19 if infected:
* Chronic respiratory disease and infection such as asthma and respiratory allergies, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Diseases, Cystic Fibrosis, or Pulmonary Hypertension, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Chronic bronchitis, Histoplasmosis, Bronchiectasis
* Cardiovascular disease such as hypertension coronary heart diseases, cardiomyopathies, peripheral artery disease, aortic diseases, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease
* Chronic kidney disease
* Cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and transient ischemic attack
* Cancer of malignancy
* Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 and Type 2
* Obesity
* Neurologic diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy and Seizures, Bell’s palsy, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, or acute spinal cord injury
* Chronic liver disease such as hepatitis cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
* Immunodeficiency state such as genetic immunodeficiencies, secondary or acquired immunodeficiencies (i.e. prolonged use of corticosteroids), HIV infection, Solid organ or blood transplant patients
* Other diseases such as sickle cell disease, Thalassemia or Down Syndrome. (JOB)