Earlier quoted context omitted.
Is that the case when the hosts are all in good shape (compared to even 200 years ago) and use "artificial" means to stay alive longer?
In good shape? When half the population of the western world is obese, and 10% are diabetic? How many people, on average, were on the brink of starvation 200 years ago? We're still better off, I'd guess, but it's not that amazing
Being (slightly) overweight is generally good for health, especially when combating a virus.
200+ years ago the vast majority of people were definitely starved for nutrients, living off whatever they could get locally, with very little meat compared to today.