Apparently, “one size does not fit all”, with higher doses of prescribed antibiotics being recommended for patients for clearing infection in larger adults & kids too in some cases, because of rising rates of obesity increasing the risk of resistance development.
The review published in The Lancet raises several important issues on drug use for treating infection. The authors suggest drugs for fighting disease should be prescribed according to body weight, the process for children. They believe too low a dose may not effectively clear up the infection, encouraging the development of anti-biotics resistant bacteria.
Since, microbes developing resistance to antibiotics, anti-virals or anti-fungals is of major concern, doses for individual patients will be useful in preventing resistance.
However, changing the current system of medication prescription would come at considerable cost, including practice implications. Previous study and clinical trial data would have to be reviewed regarding tailored dosing for overweight and obese adults, to see whether it would reduce the time it takes to clear infection. Further research and effects follow-up will be required for finding out, whether there are substantial benefits warranting a change in the current practice of drug prescriptions.
What is Obesity
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat and/or body water. Both terms mean that a person’s weight is greater than what’s considered healthy for his or her height.
Obesity occurs over time when you eat more calories than you use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might tip the balance include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods and not being physically active.
Being obese increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancers. If you are obese, losing even 5 to 10 percent of your weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases