This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
Published on July 16, 2020, a study in the European Journal of Endocrinology shed light on the alarming link between obesity and COVID-19 severity.
Researchers at the Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna in Italy analyzed the outcomes of nearly 500 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and discovered that individuals with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 were at a significantly higher risk of respiratory failure, intensive care admission, and death.
According to Matteo Rottoli, a study researcher, "Our study showed that any grade of obesity is associated with severe COVID-19 illness and suggests that people with mild obesity should also be identified as a population at risk."
While current guidelines classify a BMI of 40 as high-risk in the UK and USA, the Italian study suggests that individuals with a BMI over 30 should also be alerted to the increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness and death.
