British people should eat less to lose weight as being obese increases the risk of dying from the novel coronavirus, junior health minister Helen Whately said on Monday.

Whately said that those with a body mass index of over 40 had double the risk of dying from Covid-19.

The UK also imposed strict new limits on junk food advertising as ministers seek to control the country’s growing obesity problem. Advertising of foods high in fat, sugar or salt on television and online before 9 pm will be banned, the country’s health and social care department said Monday.