Obesity May Increase the Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19
Problems with Breathing
People with obesity may be more likely to experience compromised lung function
Hospitalization
People younger than 60 with obesity have shown to be 2x more likely to be admitted to the hospital due to illness from COVID-19
Narrowing of the airway
Obesity is associated with narrowing of the airway which could increase the need for ventilation
If you have COVID-19, all of these factors can contribute to concerning outcomes for adults with a BMI of 30 or greater:
more likely to be admitted to the hospital due to a COVID-19 infection
more likely to experience respiratory failure
If you’re interested in more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to a health care provider.
For many people who carry excess weight, losing 5%-15% of your total weight can improve some weight-related conditions, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and more. It’s important to make a weight-management plan to help get you started.
Partner with a health care provider to keep weight off
Losing excess weight and maintaining it is hard because of how your body responds to weight loss. After weight loss, the body’s metabolism slows down and appetite hormones change—making you feel more hungry and less full. Healthy eating and physical activity are important, but they may not be enough. Work with a health care provider to find ways to overcome your body’s response to weight loss. Together, you can develop a weight-management plan that works for you.
During COVID, I learned that obesity is a disease. And COVID-19 is definitely one of the challenges when it comes to COVID. I've lost family members and friends to COVID, and most of them had obesity.
Fill out the TrueWeight® Report to start a conversation with a health care provider about treatment options.
