Overweight and Obesity Associated With Increased COVID-19-Related Hospitalizations

Overweight and obesity in patients younger than 50 and obesity alone in patients older than 50 was associated with higher rates of COVID-19-related hospitalization, according to study results published by Obesity Reviews. 

Investigators assessed the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their effects on the risk for COVID-19-related hospitalization among patients aged younger and older than 50 years.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, including studies with patients who had reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction-confirmed COIVD-19, as well as data on body mass index (BMI), comorbidities such as overweight and obesity, and disease outcomes.

Overweight status was defined as a BMI of 25 to 29 kg/m², while obesity was defined as a BMI of at least 30 kg/m².

A total of 184 studies were included in the analysis (N=2,365,377); 59 studies included patients aged less than 50 years (440,893 hospitalizations), while 34 studies included patients aged greater than 50 years (788,669 hospitalizations). 

The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 26.33% and 36.02% among patients aged less than 50 years hospitalized with COVID-19, respectively. Among those aged greater than 50 years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 30.46% and 36.30%, respectively. Among all hospitalized patients with COVID-19, the pooled prevalence of obesity was 36.26%. 

Patients aged less than 50 years with overweight (odds ratio [OR], 2.186; 95% CI, 1.196-3.994; P <.011) or obesity (OR, 3.069; 95% CI, 1.679-5.610; P <.001) who were diagnosed COVID-19 had significantly increased odds for hospitalization, compared against patients with normal weight.

Among patients aged greater than 50 years, only obesity was significantly associated with increased odds for hospitalization (OR, 3.977; 95% CI, 2.757-5.735; P <.001), compared with normal weight. Overweight status was not associated with increased odds for hospitalization (OR, 0.810; 95% CI, 0.451-1.457; P <.482).

This analysis was limited by the inclusion of very few case-control studies with small numbers of participants. Additionally, high levels of heterogeneity were present among included studies in terms of patient ethnicity, nationality, and reported outcomes.

The investigators concluded, “To mitigate the risk of severe COVID-19 disease and mortality, lifestyle modification strategies should be considered, such as regular physical activity, a healthy calorie-controlled diet, and bariatric surgery if needed, particularly for those with obesity.”

This article originally appeared on Endocrinology Advisor