Obesity and SARS‐CoV‐2: a population to safeguard

Abstract

Evidence has lately emerged regarding an increased risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 with worse prognosis in patients with obesity, especially among the young. Weight excess is a well‐established respiratory disease risk factor, and the newly reported correlation is therefore unsurprising. The underlying pathophysiology is likely multi‐stranded, ranging from complement system hyperactivation, increased Interleukin‐6 secretion, chronic inflammation, presence of comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, and a possible local, detrimental effect within the lung. Further understanding the link between obesity and SARS‐CoV‐2 is crucial, as this could aid proper tailoring of immunomodulatory treatments, together with improving stratification among those possibly requiring critical care.