 |
COVID-19 attacks fat cells – could explain why people with obesity are at higher risk
13 Dec 2021
New research suggests that COVID-19 infects fat cells, explaining why overweight and obese are at a higher risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19.
The study, led by Stanford University School of Medicine, examined whether fat tissue obtained from bariatric surgery patients could become infected with the virus, and tracked how various types of cells responded to the virus.
It found that fat cells and also immune cells (macrophages) can be infected, leading to a 'robust inflammatory response'.
The findings show the virus is able to evade the immune defences within the body's fat cells, before causing inflammation elsewhere in the body and could help explain why patients with excess body weight are particularly vulnerable to the virus – and also why some younger adults with no underlying health issues become so ill.
The research will reinforce the importance of work being done in the health and fitness and spa and wellness industries, to help people control and reduce their percentage body fat.
Liz Terry, editor of HCM magazine and editorial director of Spa Business magazine, said: "The health and fitness and spa and wellness sectors have been lobbying governments around the world to gain essential service status, so our health clubs and spa and wellness businesses can always be there to support people with their health as we grapple with the pandemic.
"Research such as this, from such an eminent source, lends weight to this argument and as we discover more about the SARS-Cov-2 virus and its many mutations, it becomes clear that our industries have a vital role to play in supporting individuals and governments to battle this challenge.
"Our sectors must continue to present evidence, such as this in, support of our bids to be recognised as essential."
THE DETAIL
In reporting the details of the findings, the researchers said: "Collectively, our findings indicate that adipose (fat) tissue supports SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenic inflammation and may explain the link between obesity and severe COVID-19.
"Obesity is associated with adverse COVID-19 outcomes, but the underlying mechanism was unknown.
"We demonstrate that human fat tissue is 'permissive' to SARS-CoV-2 infection – the virus that causes COVID-19 – and that infection elicits an inflammatory response, including the secretion of known inflammatory mediators of severe COVID-19.
"We identify two cellular targets of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adipose tissue: mature adipocytes and adipose tissue macrophages.
"Adipose tissue macrophage infection is largely restricted to a highly inflammatory subpopulation of macrophages, present at baseline, that is further activated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
"Preadipocytes, while not infected, adopt a pro-inflammatory phenotype. We further demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detectable in adipocytes in COVID-19 autopsy cases and is associated with an inflammatory infiltrate.
The research has not yet been peer-reviewed, but has been published online.
back
|
| Latest member news |
 |
|
The Pelican Centre, Tyldesley, celebrates 10 years of community ownership
Community leisure and fitness centre and registered charity the Pelican Centre in
Tyldesley, Greater Manchester, celebrated its 10th anniversary last month.
read more...
Hyndburn Leisure Centre cuts carbon emissions by 74 per cent with £2m eco grant
Hyndburn Leisure has announced an ambitious action plan to cut carbon emissions by
74 per cent with a complete energy infrastructure transformation of its Church-
based facility.
read more...
Healthy lifestyle pop-up clinic launches at Clements Hall Leisure Centre
A healthy lifestyle pop-up clinic has launched at Clements Hall Leisure Centre,
managed by Fusion Lifestyle on behalf of Rochford District Council.
read more...
Nonagenarian still stepping it out for health
An Edinburgh nonagenarian and aerobics fanatic has celebrated reaching his 90th
birthday on 26th April 2022, by taking part in one of his four weekly step class,
followed by cake and a celebratory cup of coffee with his fellow steppers.
read more...
Breaking barriers and defying the odds: the remarkable story of young swimming star Heidi Rogerson
After being told “so many times that she would never be able to swim”, 14 year old
Flint resident Heidi Rogerson has defied the odds and “rocketed through” Aura’s
Learn to Swim programme to become a fantastic swimmer as well as one of Flint
Swimming Club’s newest members.
read more...
Cancer support programme for men launched in Suffolk
A new cancer support programme for men has been launched in Suffolk to help keep
male cancer patients active throughout their cancer journey.
read more...
Trilogy Leisure Announces Partnership with the University of Northampton
Trilogy Leisure and the University of Northampton have signed a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) which will see the organisations collaborate in areas
including research, education, knowledge exchange, project funding and business
support.
read more...
Kitting out the Borough
North East leisure trust Tees Active are working in partnership with Stockton-on-
Tees Borough Council to drive forward a new initiative which will help
disadvantaged children throughout the Borough participate in sport and physical
activity.
The ‘Kit out the Borough’ initiative recovers unwanted children’s sportswear to be reused by disadvantaged
familes to improve accessibility across Stockton-on-Tees. Donations colected from Tees Active’s leisure centres
will be distributed amongst local families to ensure every child has equal opportunity to enjoy taking part in
physical activity.
read more...
|
|
The magnificent Redbridge Outdoor Arts returns to Ken Aston Square
Vision RCL’s Redbridge Outdoor Arts (ROA) programme presents a summer of arts and
culture in Ken Aston Square on Barkingside High Street. A programme for all ages
to enjoy, where everyone in the community is welcome and all events are FREE of
any charge.
read more...
Lauren’s charity fitness challenge gets boost from DCLT
Lauren Weston is taking on an exhausting endurance fitness challenge to raise
money to fight childhood cancer.
read more...
CHAPS Free Men's Health Checks Supported by Impulse Leisure
Impulse Leisure was the proud sponsor of an event supporting men’s health and
wellbeing at The Civic Hall, located next to their Blackshots leisure centre in
Grays, Essex. On the 22nd of February, local men were invited to receive a free
men’s health check, which included diabetes checks, skin cancer screenings, heart
disease screenings and more.
read more...
Online archive of stories from across the Highlands and Islands
A new website from Spirit of the Highlands and Islands, filled with stories from
across the region, is now available to visit.
read more...
SLT’s double health & safety accolade yet again
Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) has once more been awarded the highest possible
accolade in the internationally-renowned Royal Society for the Prevention of
Accidents (RoSPA) 2022 Health and Safety Awards.
read more...
Historic finds under the rafters at Stamford Library
The initial phase of renovation works at Stamford Library, which is operated by
charitable social enterprise GLL, has been completed, meaning the landmark, Grade
2 listed building, which now boasts a new roof, will reopen on 3rd May following a
six-month closure.
read more...
Refurbishment of former Northfield Swimming Pool well underway
The Northfield community will soon have access to one of the best health and
wellbeing facilities of its kind in the city, with progress well underway for the
revamp of the former Northfield Swimming Pool, based at Kettlehills Crescent.
read more...
Renfrewshire Leisure completes transformation into OneRen
The transformation of Renfrewshire Leisure to OneRen has been met with a
tremendous response - reinforcing the charity’s significant role in its community.
read more...
|
|
|
|
| Events |
 |
|
|
All weekly HR and finance meetings have been ceased. For more information about Special Interest Group and regional / national members meetings, please contact [email protected]
|
|
| General Meetings & Conferences |
|
|
General Meeting, London
18 May
|
| Regional Meetings |
|
|
North East & Yorks Regional Meeting
25 May 2022
|
| Special Interest Groups |
|
|
SIG – Health (England)
10 May 2022
|
SIG – Safeguarding
17 May 2022
|
SIG – Chairs and Trustees (England & Wales)
25 May 2022
|
|
|
| Job vacancies |
|
|
Aquafit Instructor
Salary: £13.18 0 £14.26 per hour + 10% market supplement
Location: Melksham, UK
Company: Wiltshire Council
Read more and apply
|
Leisure Assistant/Lifeguard
Salary:
Location: Flitwick, Bedford, UK
Company: Stevenage Leisure Limited
Read more and apply
|
Swimming Teacher
Salary:
Location: Letchworth Garden City, UK
Company: Stevenage Leisure Limited
Read more and apply
|
General Manager
Salary: £27,000 - £30,000pa OTE £30k-£33k
Location: Bow, London, UK
Company: énergie group
Read more and apply
|
Lifeguards: full-time and part-time
Salary: £19,264 - £20,043 pro rata
Location: Melksham, UK
Company: Wiltshire Council
Read more and apply
|
Fitness Consultants: full-time and part-time
Salary: £20,043 - £20,852 pro rata
Location: Melksham, UK
Company: Wiltshire Council
Read more and apply
|
Swimming Teachers
Salary: £13.18 0 £14.26 per hour + 10% market supplement
Location: Melksham, UK
Company: Wiltshire Council
Read more and apply
|
Sports Centre Manager
Salary:
Location: Devizes, UK
Company: Dauntsey's School
Read more and apply
|
Lifeguards
Salary: £19,264 - £20,043 pro rata
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Company: Wiltshire Council
Read more and apply
|
Operations Manager
Salary: £28,000pa
Location: Highgate, London, UK
Company: Highgate School
Read more and apply
|
Kingston Wheels for All Co-ordinator
Salary: £20,020 FTE - £8,080pa for 14 hrs per week
Location: Kingston upon Thames, UK
Company: Wheels for All
Read more and apply
|
Lifeguard
Salary: £17,901 - £18,530 pa + shift allowance
Location: Liverpool, UK
Company: University of Liverpool
Read more and apply
|
Sports Assistant / Lifeguard
Salary: £19,209 - £20,092 + 10% shift allowance + benefits
Location: Bath, UK
Company: University of Bath
Read more and apply
|
Leisure Attendant / Lifeguard
Salary: £20,174pa
Location: Moreton-in-Marsh, UK
Company: Capita Plc.
Read more and apply
|
Sports Development Officer
Salary: £24,100 - £26,264 FTE
Location: Pontefract, UK
Company: New Collaborative Learning
Read more and apply
|
|
|
