Obesity and COVID-19 from Risk to Mortality [COVID-19 and Physical Activity Series]
Individuals with obesity and COVID-19: A global perspective on the epidemiology and biological relationships by Dr. Popkin and co-authors examined the relationship of individuals with obesity and COVID-19 over the full spectrum from risk to mortality. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted of data from 399,461 diagnosed patients in 75 studies from January-June 2020, including five case–control studies, 33 retrospective or prospective cohort studies, and 37 observational cross-sectional studies. Dr. Popkin and co-authors show with pooled analysis that individuals with obesity are at 46% higher (OR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.30–1.65, p < 0.0001) risk for COVID-19 positive, 113% higher (OR = 2.13; 95% CI, 1.74–2.60, p < 0.0001) risk for hospitalization, 74% higher (OR = 1.74; 95% CI, 1.46–2.08, p < 0.0001) risk for ICU admission, and 48% higher risk for mortality (OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.22–1.80, p < 0.001). Dr. Popkin and co-authors concluded that individuals with overweight and obesity face a greater risk of severe consequences from COVID-19, including hospitalization, intensive clinical care requirements and death. They also found that individuals with obesity are likely to face reductions in the effectiveness of vaccines developed to address COVID-19 due to a weakened immune response. This is particularly relevant In a world where almost all countries have a prevalence of individuals with overweight and obesity greater than 20%, and no country has experienced a reduction in the prevalence of individuals with overweight and obesity. The high prevalence of individuals with obesity exacerbates the threat to everyone's health, and the economic, social distancing and stay-at-home components compound the impacts [through their effects on dietary and physical activity patterns].
Popkin, B. M., Du, S., Green, W. D., Beck, M. A., Algaith, T., Herbst, C. H., ... & Shekar, M. (2020). Individuals with obesity and COVID‐19: A global perspective on the epidemiology and biological relationships. Obesity Reviews.
