Is obesity a major risk factor for Covid-19?
Obesity is a major risk factor for covid-19 and people who are obese are more likely than those who are not obese to:
- Contract Covid-19 at a younger age
- Develop severe Covid-19
- Require hospitalization. Studies have shown the risk may be tripled in those who are obese
- Require admission into ICU
- End up in hospital sooner
- Require oxygen
- Require mechanical ventilation
- Require intubation
- Die from Covid-19.
Obesity is linked to impaired immune function, and also decreased lung capacity and reserve, making ventilation more difficult. The increased risk for hospitalization or death is particularly pronounced in those under age 65 with an estimated 30.2% of Covid-19 hospitalizations attributed to obesity.
Children diagnosed with obesity may suffer worse outcomes from COVID-19. In those aged 18 years and younger, having obesity was associated with a 3.07 times higher risk of hospitalization and a 1.42 times higher risk of severe illness.
Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black adults have a higher prevalence of obesity and are more likely to suffer worse outcomes from COVID-19.
Related questions
- Ozempic Side Effects to Watch For
- Mounjaro vs Ozempic: How do they compare?
- How do Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Zepbound compare for weight loss?
How can you reduce obesity as a major risk factor for Covid-19?
Any weight loss can help reduce the risk of contracting or being hospitalized with Covid-19.
- Choose healthier foods and beverages for you and your family. Keep portion sizes small.
- Exercise every day. Walk to work or school, take the stairs, join a gym. Start off slowly if you haven’t exercised for a while until you are exercising for at least 45 minutes, most days of the week.
- Limit screen time to no more than two hours a day.
- Drink water throughout the day.
- Stop smoking.
- Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night.
- If you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, take your medications as prescribed and see your doctor regularly.
- Use relaxation techniques to help manage stress.
References
- Obesity, Race/Ethnicity, and COVID-19 2020 https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/obesity-and-covid-19.html.
- Mohammad Tohidul Amin, Kaniz Fatema, Sayema Arefin, Fahad Hussain, Dipty Rani Bhowmik, Mohammad Salim Hossain; Obesity, a major risk factor for immunity and severe outcomes of COVID-19. Biosci Rep 27 August 2021; 41 (8): BSR20210979.
- Amin MT, Fatema K, Arefin S, Hussain F, Bhowmik DR, Hossain MS. Obesity, a major risk factor for immunity and severe outcomes of COVID-19. Biosci Rep. 2021 Aug 27;41(8):BSR20210979. doi: 10.1042/BSR20210979. PMID: 34350941; PMCID: PMC8380923.
Read next
Ozempic vs Wegovy: What's the difference between them?
Ozempic is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults, while Wegovy is used for weight loss and chronic weight management in adults and children 12 years of age and older with overweight or obesity. In these populations, both agents are approved reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related death in people with cardiovascular (heart, blood vessel) disease.
Ozempic and Wegovy are the two brand names that Novo Nordisk uses to market injectable semaglutide. Ozempic and Wegovy come in different strengths to treat the different conditions. Continue reading
Why am I not losing weight on Mounjaro?
It takes time, about 8 to 12 weeks to see a 6% to 8% weight loss in adults using Mounjaro. Other reasons include the need to follow a reduced calorie diet and exercise program, your dose may need to be increased, or side effects may affect your treatment. Continue reading
Tirzepatide vs semaglutide: How do they compare?
Both tirzepatide and semaglutide are prescription medicines used with diet and exercise to treat people with type 2 diabetes or to help people lose and maintain weight loss. Semaglutide has also been approved for cardiovascular risk reduction. They are marketed as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus (semaglutide) and as Mounjaro or Zepbound (tirzepatide). Continue reading
Related medical questions
- How long until I lose weight on Wegovy?
- Does Wellbutrin XL/SR cause weight gain or loss?
- What happens when you stop taking Ozempic?
- How does Ozempic (semaglutide) help with weight loss?
- Why does Lexapro cause weight gain?
- Do Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro & Zepbound cause hair loss?
- Does Zoloft (sertraline) cause weight gain?
- Can you get tirzepatide from a compounding pharmacy?
- How does Mounjaro Work for Weight Loss?
- Is Mounjaro covered by insurance or Medicare?
- Will my insurance cover Ozempic?
- How does semaglutide work for weight loss?
- Does Prozac cause weight gain or loss?
- How long does it take for Zepbound to work?
- Why am I not losing weight on Ozempic?
- How much does semaglutide cost?
- Why am I not losing weight on Saxenda?
- How do you get Wegovy covered by insurance?
- Do you gain weight back after stopping Mounjaro?
- How does Ozempic affect blood pressure?
- How do Zepbound and Wegovy compare?
- Is Zepbound covered by insurance?
- How long can you stay on Ozempic?
- Does Jardiance cause weight loss?
- Does Cymbalta cause weight gain?
- How does taking Ozempic affect your face?
- Does Abilify cause weight gain?
- How much weight can I lose on Zepbound?
- Why does Ozempic cause a dry mouth or taste changes?
- What foods should I avoid while taking Contrave?
Related support groups
- Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) (767 questions, 1,492 members)
- COVID-19 (106 questions, 89 members)