Study suggests a strong link between obesity and increased risk of COVID-19.

A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School reveals that obesity, often referred to as a "gateway disease," increases the risk of COVID-19.

Researchers discovered that individuals with obesity had a 34% increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 compared to those who were not obese.

A press release stated that a study examined more than 72,000 patients from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston who had either been exposed to COVID or tested positive for the virus between March 2020 and January 2021.

The findings were published in PNAS Nexus on Tuesday.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obesity for adults.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the obesity guideline for children is a growth curve above the 95th percentile.

Researchers predict that obesity rates among young individuals will reach approximately 50% by the year 2030.

The study found that obesity not only increases the risk of worsened outcomes but also the risk of infection upon exposure.

"Early identification of these populations is vital for controlling the spread of this infectious disease."

Medical experts, including Dr. Rekha Kumar, chief medical officer of Found, were not surprised by the results of the study.

Obesity has been linked to increased severity of COVID-19, including higher risks of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death, according to Kumar, an endocrinologist in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian.

"The research enhances our comprehension by proposing that being overweight increases the likelihood of contracting the disease for the first time."

"Whenever you have an increased inflammatory process in the body, it greatly affects the immune system."

Dr. Walter Gaman of Executive Medicine of Texas stated that the link between obesity and COVID-19 is not surprising, even though he was not involved in the study.

Inflammation and chronic diseases are linked to obesity, as stated by him on Planet Chronicle Digital.

"The study found that an increased inflammatory process in the body greatly affects the immune system."

Gaman highlighted that underweight individuals were also at great risk during the pandemic.

He suggested studying the correlation of both overweight and underweight individuals to COVID.

Why does obesity increase COVID risk?

Kumar lists several reasons for the link, including impaired immune function and coexisting conditions.

She stated that obesity is linked to persistent low-level inflammation and immune system changes, which can impair the body's ability to defend against infections.

"Furthermore, obesity is linked to other health issues such as diabetes and hypertension, which increase the likelihood of developing COVID-19."

Gaman advised that people prioritize a healthy weight not only for aesthetic purposes but also for the benefits it brings to their overall health.

He confirmed the indisputable relationship between obesity, the immune system, chronic disease, and early death.

"A healthy diet and regular exercise are the initial steps in fortifying the immune system."

People with obesity should take extra precautions to avoid COVID-19 exposure and consult a medical provider for more specific guidance, recommends Kumar.

Potential limitations

The study's limitations, mainly self-reported exposure to the virus, were acknowledged by the researchers.

The study examined the health outcomes of patients from the Mass General Brigham health care network, which may not be generalizable to a larger population.

Additionally, the researchers utilized information from patients' electronic health records, which may contain inaccuracies.

Kumar stated that the study is a case-control type, which can reveal correlations but not establish causation.

The research relied solely on BMI as a measure of obesity, which does not take into account body composition or fat distribution.

"While BMI can be useful in certain aspects, it's not entirely accurate," she stated.

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According to Kumar, there may be underlying factors impacting COVID risk that were not considered, such as socioeconomic status or health care access.

She suggested replicating the research to include a broader audience to ensure accuracy and inclusivity.