Obesity Worsens Outcomes from COVID-19

• Having obesity increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. People who are overweight may also be at increased risk.
• Having obesity may triple the risk of hospitalization due to a COVID-19 infection.
• Obesity is linked to impaired immune function.2,3
• Obesity decreases lung capacity and reserve and can make ventilation more difficult.4
• A study of COVID-19 cases suggests that risks of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death are higher with increasing BMI.5
  • The increased risk for hospitalization or death was particularly pronounced in those under age 65. 5