COVID-19 Complications and Obesity: Factors to Consider and Beyond
Obesity and overweight have been identified as significant risk factors for severe COVID-19 infections. A person with obesity or overweight may have a higher chance of developing the infection and experiencing more severe symptoms when exposed to the coronavirus[1].
Research indicates that obesity exacerbates the acute severity of COVID-19 infections, leading to complications like persistent lung damage and prolonged recovery periods[1][3]. Obesity is associated with increased expression of ACE2 receptors, which SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter cells, potentially facilitating infection and severity[3]. Furthermore, obesity correlates with a higher risk of neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms in long COVID cases[2].
Clinical data consistently demonstrate that obesity is a well-established risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization and mortality[4][3]. Experimental studies using primate models also show that obese subjects suffered worse long-term consequences from SARS-CoV-2 infection[1].
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that about 42% of the adult U.S. population had obesity between 2017 and 2020[10]. Obesity rates have remained high and increased over the past several years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some cases seeing a more than doubling of obesity rates from 2018 to 2021[8].
Children with obesity may also have a higher risk of severe COVID-19, with a 3.1 times higher risk of hospitalization and a 1.4 times higher risk of severe illness when hospitalized[7]. Obesity and overweight rates have also risen in children, with the rate of body mass index (BMI) nearly doubling during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with a pre-pandemic period in children between the ages of 2 and 19 years[9].
Preventing COVID-19 can be an important first step for people with obesity or overweight. A person can reduce their risk of COVID-19 by staying home when unwell, staying up to date on immunizations, washing hands regularly, wearing a face mask when physical distancing is not possible, keeping a distance of 6 feet (1.8 meters) between people, sanitizing, cleaning, and disinfecting surfaces, covering the mouth when coughing, and avoiding crowded public spaces[6].
If a person experiences COVID-19 symptoms, they should consider contacting a doctor for treatment[11]. A doctor can diagnose and recommend treatments and can also confirm an at-home test diagnosis. A person should seek immediate emergency care if they experience trouble breathing, which could be a sign of severe infection[11].
Obesity can weaken the immune system, potentially increasing a person's risk of contracting the coronavirus that causes COVID-19[5]. Therefore, taking steps to lose weight can help improve overall health and help prevent severe infections from occurring. Some steps that may help with weight loss include talking with a doctor or nutritionist to create an eating plan, increasing physical activity throughout the day or week, discussing weight loss medication with a doctor, setting goals and reasonable expectations, joining weight loss programs or organizations, and discussing possible intervention devices with a doctor, such as a gastric balloon system, or bariatric surgery[12].
In summary, obesity not only increases vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection but also amplifies disease severity and the risk of persistent symptoms after recovery[1][2][3][4]. It is crucial for people with obesity or overweight to take preventive measures and seek medical advice if they experience COVID-19 symptoms.
References: 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7710558/ 2. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-76412-8 3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7671823/ 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7671823/ 5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7560387/ 6. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html 7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7710558/ 8. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html 9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7869706/ 10. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html 11. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-you-are-sick.html 12. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/lose-weight/strategies-for-weight-loss
- In light of the link between obesity and severe COVID-19 outcomes, Pfizer could consider developing weight-management strategies as part of its health-and-wellness initiatives.
- Despite the increased risk of severe COVID-19 associated with obesity, children with obesity or overweight may find it blocked to receive appropriate medical attention for other medical-conditions, such as weight management.
- Science has shown that obesity can lead to complications during COVID-19 infections, but the role of nutrition in managing weight and potentially preventing complications remains under-researched.
- As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported high rates of obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial for people to take preventive measures and manage their weight for the sake of their long-term health and to minimize the risk of COVID-19.
