BMI and COVID-19

Does obesity contribute to morbidity?

The information revolving around the COVID-19 pandemic has been evolving since the virus first emerged on the global scale. One piece of knowledge that has remained consistent is that there are certain demographics that are at a higher risk of COVID-19 complications.

Even the understanding of what demographics fall into these high-risk categories has continued to evolve, however. For example, overweight individuals have been considered high-risk since early on in the rise of the coronavirus pandemic. The truth, though, maybe more nuanced.

Due to the profound lack of data concerning obesity and adverse outcomes in COVID-19 cases, researchers conducted a study in an attempt to understand the extent to which this belief held true and add depth to their preexisting knowledge.

The Study

Data collected through July 22, 2020, from 88 hospitals in the United States was analyzed in this study to examine the effect of a high body mass index (BMI) on COVID-19 outcomes. Patients with normal weight were used as the control group.

Findings

7606 patients fit the BMI profile being study. Obesity was found to be overrepresented in comparison to the population of the United States, especially among adults aged 50 years or younger.

Class III obesity was especially notable, as it was associated with a significantly higher in-hospital death ratio. Overall, 27.7% of the 7606 patients (2109) experienced in-hospital death or mechanical ventilation. In-hospital death occurred in 1302 patients (17.1%), and 1602 experienced mechanical ventilation (21.1%).

BMI by age was also a noteworthy factor. The strongest association was in adults 50 years old or younger, followed by adults 51 to 70 years old, then adults 70 years or older. Severe obesity was linked to increased in-hospital death in those 50 years or younger.

What it Means

Obesity does, in fact, contribute to the severity of COVID-19. Not only are obese individuals more likely to develop severe cases of COVID-19 that require hospitalization, but they are also at a higher risk of in-hospital death and the need for mechanical ventilation. These risks are only heightened when the individual is 50 years old or younger.

The study also found that obese patients are at a higher risk for related medical issues, including dialysis and venous thromboembolism.

Due to the COVID-19 risk associated with obesity, it is extremely important that individuals that fall into this category adhere to prevention strategies regardless of their age. Reducing one’s BMI through healthy lifestyle changes could also lower this risk over time.