UA research finds relationship between COVID-19 deaths and morbid obesity

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-08/uoai-urf082020.php


News Release 20-Aug-2020
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa

The prevalence of morbid obesity in a population is associated with negative outcomes from COVID-19, according to an analysis by researchers at The University of Alabama of morbid obesity data and reported COVID-19 deaths in the United States.

In a paper published in the journal World Medical and Health Policy, researchers found a statistically significant relationship between the prevalence of morbid obesity and cases of -- and deaths from -- COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The researchers suggest their findings can help identify resources needed for morbidly obese patients and inform mitigation policies.

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Obesity is known to increase risk from respiratory infections and hinder pulmonary function, and there's an emerging pattern in the treatment of COVID-19 patients that obesity is a pervasive problem and associated with negative health outcomes such as requiring a ventilator.

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