Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and obesity. Impact of obesity and its main comorbidities in the evolution of the disease.

European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association. 2020;28(6):799-815

Plain language summary

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused thousands of deaths worldwide. Being obese is associated with worse outcomes following infection with Covid-19. This review aimed to summarise the data available on the relationship between Covid-19 and obesity, and explored some of the possible reasons for this relationship. The researchers found that obesity is an independent and strong risk factor for severe infection, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and death. The impact of obesity might be of particular relevance in males and in younger individuals. Long‐term complications of Covid‐19 could also be more frequent and severe in obese subjects. There are many potential mechanisms that could explain this relationship. These include the effects of obesity and related diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease on the immune system, lung function, vitamin D deficiency and male hormones. The researchers also discussed the possibility of fat cells acting as a possible reservoir for Covid-19 infection. Research into Covid-19 is still at a very early stage and more studies are needed.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is posing a great challenge worldwide. Its rapid progression has caused thousands of deaths worldwide. Although multiple aspects remain to be clarified, some risk factors associated with a worse prognosis have been identified. These include obesity and some of its main complications, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Furthermore, although the possible long-term complications and psychological effects that may appear in survivors of COVID-19 are not well known yet, there is a concern that those complications may be greater in obese patients. In this manuscript, we review some of the data published so far and the main points that remain to be elucidated are emphasized.

Lifestyle medicine

Fundamental Clinical Imbalances : Hormonal ; Immune and inflammation
Patient Centred Factors : Mediators/Covid-19
Environmental Inputs : Diet ; Physical exercise ; Psychosocial influences
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Nutrition ; Exercise and movement
Functional Laboratory Testing : Not applicable
Bioactive Substances : Not applicable

Methodological quality

Jadad score : Not applicable
Allocation concealment : Not applicable

Metadata