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Obesity and COVID-19

What to know

Obesity is a complex chronic disease that puts people at higher risk for poor health outcomes. Obesity increases risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Individuals can help protect themselves by getting a COVID-19 vaccine. They can also engage in other healthy behaviors. These include eating a healthy diet, being active, and getting enough sleep.

Man getting fresh fruit from a large bowl.

Obesity worsens COVID-19 outcomes

Obesity is linked to impaired immune function.12 Obesity also decreases lung capacity, which can make breathing more difficult.3 For these reasons and others, adults and children with excess weight are at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

During the early COVID-19 pandemic (March-November 2020), approximately 1 in 3 COVID-19 hospitalizations in adults were attributed to obesity (30.2%).4

Risks of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, invasive ventilation, and death increased as body mass index (BMI) increased. For example:

  • Among adults with COVID-19, adults with BMI from 30 to 34.9 had a 1.4 times higher risk of needing invasive ventilation than adults with a healthy BMI from 18.5 to 24.9.
  • Adults with BMI from 40 to 44.9 and BMI of 45 or higher were 1.7 times and 2.1 times more likely to need invasive ventilation than those with a healthy weight.
  • The increased risk for hospitalization and death was particularly pronounced in those younger than 65.5

Children are less likely than adults to develop severe COVID-19 illness. However, children with obesity are at higher risk for COVID-19 complications than children with healthy weight.

In one study of pediatric patients with COVID-19, obesity was one of the strongest risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness. Children with obesity had a 3.1 times higher risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 than children with healthy weight. These children also had a 1.4 times higher risk of severe illness when hospitalized.6

Obesity and COVID-19 affect some groups more than others

People from racial and ethnic minority groups have historically had fewer opportunities for good economic, physical, and emotional health. These inequities may have contributed to the increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19 for some of these groups. Many of these same factors contribute to the higher level of obesity in some racial and ethnic minority groups.

See Also: Social Determinants of Health contribute to health disparities

In 2017-2020, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black adults had a higher prevalence of obesity. These groups were more likely to suffer worse outcomes from COVID-19.

Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children also had a higher prevalence of obesity than non-Hispanic white children. In 2017–2020, the overall prevalence of obesity among children was 19.7%. However, 26.2% of Hispanic children and 24.8% of non-Hispanic Black children had obesity.

Steps States, Partners, and Healthcare Providers Can Take‎

Policymakers and leaders can work to ensure that their communities, environments, and systems support a healthy, active lifestyle for all. Read more about what community leaders can do.

Steps You Can Take Now

Federal, state, and local partners are working on systemic changes to support healthier living. However, change takes time. Individuals can help protect themselves and their families from poor health outcomes of obesity and COVID-19 by:

Vaccination helps protect against severe COVID-19 illness in both adults and children. COVID-19 vaccines help protect whole families and slow the spread of COVID-19 in communities.

Eating a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and fiber can help with losing weight and preventing weight gain.7 Good nutrition also supports optimal immune function,89 and prevents or supports management of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases. These diseases also increase risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Individuals who do not get enough physical activity are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. Regular physical activity helps you feel better, sleep better, and reduce anxiety. Physical activity also prevents diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, thereby lowering the risk of severe COVID-19 illness.10 Emerging research suggests it may also help boost immune function.1112

Not getting enough sleep is linked to depression and chronic diseases such as heart disease and obesity.13 These diseases increase the risk for severe COVID-19 illness.

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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)
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  10. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2018.
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