Obesity & COVID-19
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Individuals with obesity, or who are overweight with related comorbidities may be at a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus. Furthermore, obesity-related conditions may complicate treatment and can also make it more difficult for individuals to recover from COVID-19.1
Obesity Comorbidities & COVID-19
Obesity is a disease that not only brings its own health threats, but can also cause or increase the risk of a number of additional serious health conditions, known as comorbidities. Obesity-related conditions that may increase COVID-19 risks in people with obesity include:
Heart disease
Men with obesity are 72% more likely to be diagnosed with heart disease, and women with obesity are 50% more likely to develop heart disease than individuals at a healthy weight. The CDC states that heart disease increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.2
Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is an especially common comorbidity of obesity. Not only can diabetes compromise the ability of the immune system to fight viruses like the one that causes COVID-19, but the body’s attempt to fight off this illness can impact blood sugar levels, meaning an individual may need more insulin than normal.3
How You Can Protect Yourself
If you have been diagnosed with obesity or are overweight, there are certain steps you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19:
- Self-isolate. Try to stay at home as much as possible to reduce your risk of exposure to the coronavirus. If you do need to go out, be sure to observe social distancing guidelines and wear a mask.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
- Try not to touch your face
- Clean and disinfect surfaces you touch often
- Keep up with your meds. Do not stop taking prescribed medications, and try to keep at least a 2-week advance supply of prescription medications on hand.
- Get a flu shot. The flu and COVID-19 are not related, but influenza can weaken the body’s defenses against viruses like the coronavirus.
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Groups at higher risk for severe illness. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Accessed October 26, 2020.
2 Obesity and Heart Disease: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee, American Heart Association, Robert H. Eckel and For the Nutrition Committee. doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.96.9.3248 Circulation. 1997;96:3248–3250. Available: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.CIR.96.9.3248. Accessed October 26, 2020.
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diabetes: managing the flu and sick days. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/flu-sick-days.html. Accessed October 26, 2020.
The TLC Surgery Doctors have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.