Factors Inherent to Obesity Increase Vulnerability to COVID-19: Study

Factors related to obesity leave the lungs of obese patients more susceptible to COVID-19, said researchers.

Factors related to obesity leave the lungs of obese patients more susceptible to COVID-19, said UTSW scientists published online in eLife. Drugs used to lower lung inflammation prove beneficial to obese patients with COVID-19.

Many studies have linked obesity and COVID-19 deaths. However, the mechanism by which obesity is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 is unclear.

Obesity - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Complications, Treatment
Obesity is a condition where there is excess accumulation of body fat which poses a risk to the health of the individual. It can affect children and adults.

‘Inflammation in the lungs combined with high viral loads of the novel coronavirus create a perfect storm for obese patients with COVID-19.’

Scherer and his colleagues, including Manasi Shah, M.D., an endocrinology fellow at UTSW, and Ilja L. Kruglikov, Ph.D., Dr.Sci., a researcher at Wellcomet GmbH in Karlsruhe, Germany, explored this phenomenon in the new opinion piece.

Fat has increased amounts of ACE2 receptors, entryways for the SARS-CoV-2 virus on cells. The higher numbers of these receptors in obese patients lead to increased viral load, a key risk factor for COVID-19 patients' poor outcomes.

In obese people, increased ACE2 expression spurred an imbalance in chemical signals that induce inflammation, fibrosis, and leaky blood vessels, all of which can cause a more severe COVID-19 infection.

Coronavirus
Coronaviruses infect animals, humans, and birds. Human coronaviruses, such as SARS, MERS, and 2019-nCoV cause respiratory distress and even death. The S protein is the infectious agent of the virus.

Leaky gut and higher inflammatory state are even more powerful contributors to increased disease severity.

."It's all about the system already being primed," Scherer says. "When the virus comes into this system, the lungs are already at risk. More damage and more inflammation could push these patients over the edge and cause a perfect storm."

Quiz on Obesity

“We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are”. - Adelle Davis

There are thousands out there battling ‘the bulge’. With childhood obesity on the rise even children are not spared. If your weight issues are threatening to weigh you down learn more about obesity by taking part in this quiz.

Dexamethasone, a steroid that's already shown promise in clinical trials, could be especially helpful in obese patients. This treatment reduces inflammation systemically, taking a broad approach to reducing the damaging state.

"There may be an overabundance of currently proposed treatments for COVID-19," Scherer says. "However, we believe our suggestions are very much based on facts and could have a high chance of improving outcomes while avoiding any harm."

Body Mass Index
The BMI calculator helps you assess your weight indicating if it is normal or if you are underweight or overweight, based on your height.

How to Prevent Obesity

Consume less bad fat
Consume less processed and sugary foods
Eat more servings of fruits and vegetables
Engage in regular aerobic exercise

Source-Medindia