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Summary: This umbrella review assessed the association between excess weight and COVID‐19 outcomes. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were systematically searched for reviews that assessed the association between excess weight and COVID‐19 outcomes. A second‐order meta‐analysis was conducted on the available data for intensive care unit admission, invasive mechanical ventilation administration, disease severity, hospitalization, and mortality. The quality of included reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR‐2 appraisal tool. In total, 52 systematic reviews were included, 49 of which included meta‐analyses. The risk of severe outcomes (OR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.70 to 2.05), intensive care unit admission (OR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.45 to 1.72), invasive mechanical ventilation administration (OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.57 to 1.83), hospitalization (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.61 to 2.05), and mortality (OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.24 to 1.48) following COVID‐19 infection was significantly higher in individuals living with excess weight compared with those with a healthy weight. There was limited evidence available in the included reviews regarding the influence of moderating factors such as ethnicity, and the majority of included reviews were of poor quality. Obesity appears to represent an important modifiable pre‐infection risk factor for severe COVID‐19 outcomes, including death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical activity (PA) contributes to the prevention and management of many health conditions. Primary care practitioners have an important role to play in supporting people to be physically active. Aim: This study had the following three aims: 1) to explore GPs' awareness and knowledge of the PA guidelines; 2) to assess GPs' confidence in promoting PA; and 3) to explore factors that influence PA promotion among GPs. Design & setting: Cross-sectional survey, using secondary analysis. Method: UK-based GPs were invited to take part in an online survey in January 2021. Demographic questions were followed by nine multiple choice questions. Categorical data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and open-ended data were analysed using content analysis and inductive coding. Results: In total, 839 GPs based in England completed the survey. Most GP responders (98.9%) believed that PA was important, yet only 35.7% reported being at least 'somewhat familiar' with current PA guidance. Despite this, 74.1% of GPs reported feeling confident raising the topic of PA with their patients. Barriers included lack of time, perceptions of patient attitude and risk, language issues, and COVID-19. Key facilitators were identified and 'Couch to 5k' and the 'parkrun practice' initiatives were the most widely used support tools. Conclusion: GPs value PA yet well-known barriers exist to embedding promotion into primary care. As primary care reconfigures, there is an opportunity to embed PA into systems, services, and processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on physical activity having significant benefits for physical and mental health and wellbeing. Topics include treatments relating to five preventable diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, and type 2 diabetes; and managing some long-term conditions and reducing the risk of chronic conditions including some cancer.

The article focuses on the biggest public health challenge facing nursing. Topics discussed include obesity and overweight is arguably the largest and most complex non-communicable disease of the 21st century, threatening future progress in reducing preventable ill health; and Research during the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the serious impact that obesity has on a person's physical and psychological health.