Editor's Note
This study by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that obesity increases the risk for severe COVID-19-associated illness.
Of 148,494 US adults with confirmed COVID-19 treated at 238 hospitals included in the study, 28.3% were overweight and 50.8% were obese.
Severely obese adults less than 65 years old had a 61% higher risk for death and were 33% more likely to be hospitalized, than those with a healthy weight.
Mildly obese adults had a 7% increased likelihood for hospitalization and an 8% higher risk for death.
Overweight and obesity also were risk factors for ICU admission and invasive mechanical ventilation.
The finding that risk for severe COVID-19-associated illness increases with higher body mass index suggests that progressively intensive management of COVID-19 might be needed for patients with more severe obesity, the researchers say.
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