@article{10.22454/PRiMER.2020.104798,
author = {Long, Joshua D. and Ward, Caitlin A. and Khorasani-Zadeh, Arshia},
title = {The Impact of Obesity on COVID-19 Disease Severity},
journal = {PRiMER},
volume = {4},
year = {2020},
month = {8},
doi = {10.22454/PRiMER.2020.104798},
abstract = {Introduction: Obesity has been declared a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. In this rapid review, we provide an overview of recently-published papers with clinical and epidemiological relevance on this topic.
Methods: As part of a weekly COVID-19 data mining meeting, we conducted a literature review regarding the role of obesity in COVID-19 outcomes, particularly in young patients with COVID-19. We utilized the PubMed, Upstate Medical University Health Sciences Library, Google Scholar, and LitCovid databases to identify the articles.
Results: Our group identified seven relevant publications (four retrospective case series and three reviews). 
Conclusion: Our group’s review of this topic illustrates that obesity is a common comorbidity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Obesity is associated with an increased likelihood of intermittent mandatory ventilation within the first 10 days of hospitalization and a higher risk of admission to acute or critical hospital care, including in patients aged less than 60 years, with one study showing it to be a greater risk factor than cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions for critical COVID-19 illness. There are some indications that moderate-intensity exercise may be beneficial for promoting a healthy immune system in patients with and without obesity. Given these findings, hospitals should ensure their staff are prepared and their facilities are adequately equipped to provide high-quality care to patients with obesity (PWO) hospitalized with COVID-19. Family medicine and primary care physicians are encouraged to counsel their PWO about their increased risk for morbidity and mortality during this pandemic.},
URL = {https://journals.stfm.org//primer/2020/long-2020-0019/},
eprint = {https://journals.stfm.org//media/3283/long-primer2020104798.pdf},
}