Being overweight has emerged as one of the most important risk factors in getting admitted to hospital with severe forms of coronavirus, the biggest study of British people with the disease will say.

The Telegraph understands analysis of 15,100 hospitalised patients from across the UK has identified how carrying excess weight increases the likelihood that severe complications will develop from Covid-19.

Scientists from three universities have analysed data obtained from Covid-19 patients to draw up the most comprehensive profile yet of how the virus exploits age, sex and underlying health conditions.

The study, based on statistics and samples obtained from 177 UK hospitals, has been analysed by scientists from Edinburgh and Liverpool Universities and Imperial College London and then compared with studies in China, where coronavirus first emerged.

Researchers have been struck by how being overweight appears more of a factor in hospital admission in Britain, compared to China, where fewer people are obese.

The study was led by Professor Kenny Baillie at Edinburgh University, Professor Calum Semple at Liverpool University and Professor Peter Openshaw at Imperial College London.