When two pandemics meet: why is obesity associated with increased COVID-19 mortality?

Sam M. Lockhart, Stephen O’Rahilly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A growing body of evidence indicates that obesity is strongly and independently associated with adverse outcomes of COVID-19, including death. By combining emerging knowledge of the pathological processes involved in COVID-19 with insights into the mechanisms underlying the adverse health consequences of obesity, we present some hypotheses regarding the deleterious impact of obesity on the course of COVID-19. These hypotheses are testable and could guide therapeutic and preventive interventions. As obesity is now almost ubiquitous and no vaccine for COVID-19 is currently available, even a modest reduction in the impact of obesity on mortality and morbidity from this viral infection could have profound consequences for public health.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-42
JournalMed
Volume1
Issue number1
Early online date25 Jun 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Dec 2020
Externally publishedYes

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