Impact of Obesity on COVID-19 Severity

Based on recent data, it appears that this nation’s obesity epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic have collided. Current evidence is suggesting that COVID-19 seems to be hitting people who are obese particularly hard. In fact, from March 1 to March 30, nearly half (48.3%) of the hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were obese, and obesity was the most common underlying health condition among those patients who were 18 to 49 years old. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 42% of American adults have a body mass index or BMI over 30, the threshold for obesity. Health officials are starting to track COVID-19 patients’ BMIs, suggesting a high BMI should be a risk factor in itself for poorer COVID-19 infection outcomes.
Even with no other medical conditions being obese may put you at risk of worse outcomes from severe acute respiratory symptoms when it comes to the COVID-19 infection. One study found that patients under 60 years old with a BMI over 35 were twice as likely to be admitted to the ICU for COVID-19 than patients with healthy BMIs. Even more discerning those same patients were three times more likely to die from the COVID-19 infection than those with lower BMI.
Obesity is a condition that affects many different parts of your body in complex ways. Obesity may affect and impair the functioning of your lungs, making them more susceptible to infection as well as worse infection outcomes. Moreover, obesity not only affects your lungs but can affect your how your immune defense system functions to ward off infections. Obesity disrupts the cascade of chemicals (cytokines) that are produced by the immune system and regulates your immune response. This leads to more inflammation in your lungs and the airways that carry air through the lungs.
People with obesity should not feel stigmatized or avoid seeking healthcare, say, public health officials. On the contrary, it is even more important to be aware of the threat of COVID-19 poses. People with higher BMIs should take extra precautions, such as always wearing a mask outside and having groceries delivered instead of going out into the public. Furthermore, if you develop fever or shortness of breath, do not wait to call your healthcare provider and seek help early.
For more information on how to Protect Health and Prevent Illness® call Compassionate Healthcare Associates, 661-295-7777.