COVID-19 and Obesity: A Clear and Present Danger in Younger Patients

摘要

Obesity confers significantly increased morbidity and mortality to younger COVID-19 patients. In general, COVID-19 statistics point to markedly low mortality among patients younger than 60; however, 40% of the U.S. population is obese. Is the protective effect of youth negatively affected by obesity? Researchers used the American Heart Association's COVID-19 Cardiovascular Disease Registry to examine the effect of obesity across different age groups on mortality, receipt of mechanical ventilation, or both. The baseline reference group was specified as ideal body weight defined by the World Health Organization (body-mass index [BMI] 18.5-24.9 kg/m~2).