Ask the Express doctor

Q

My husband is 76, slim and fit. I am 63 and have always been overweight. I’m trying to shed the excess pounds but my BMI is still 32. I’ve been doing the weekly supermarket shop but my husband now says he should go as he is less at risk of infection than me because of my excess weight. Is he correct?

A

People of both sexes who are overweight are much more at risk of severe illness from Covid-19 compared with those who are of normal weight, so from this point of view you are more at risk.

However, men are much more at risk of getting severe disease than women, and this excess risk appears to increase with age, so the older a man is, the greater his risk compared with a woman of the same age.

Also regardless of sex, the older you are, the more at risk you are. So I reckon that despite your weight, you should be the one going to the supermarket.

The trolley handle is the mostly likely place for any potential virus to be lurking so while using it, keep your hands well away from your face, apply sanitiser gel the moment you have parked it back, and wipe down any parts of the car you have touched, such as the boot, door handles and steering wheel.

And do please keep going with the diet and exercise regime.

● If you have a health question for Dr Leonard, write to her in confidence at the Daily Express, One Canada Square, CanaryWharf, London E14 5AP, or email yourhealth@express.co.uk Dr Leonard regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence or reply to everyone.