Researchers reveal that obesity also increases the risk of contracting COVID-19 following exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
By Dr. Liji Thomas, MDReviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc.Sep 11 2024 Obesity not only worsens COVID-19 outcomes but also significantly increases susceptibility to infection after exposure to SARS -CoV-2, emphasizing the need for heightened prevention efforts among at-risk populations. Study: Obesity and age are transmission risk factors for SARS -CoV-2 infection among exposed individuals. Image Credit: Studio Romantic / Shutterstock.
Throughout the pandemic, personal protective equipment, hygiene measures, and social distancing were advised by most public health authorities to restrict the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Despite the widespread distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, continuous mutation of SARS-CoV-2, combined the inability to achieve universal vaccination and variability in the protective effects of available vaccines, have limited their efficacy.
The aim of the current study was to examine susceptibility, which was defined as the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 following suspected exposure. The study period was between March 1, 2020, to January 25, 2021, which ensured that vaccine immunity did not influence the results, as less than 1% of the population of Massachusetts was vaccinated during this period.
Related StoriesObesity was found to increase the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 by 34% as compared to non-obese individuals, thus indicating that obesity confers a higher risk of transmission in this population. The increased risk of productive SARS-CoV-2 infection following exposure was consistent across age groups and sex.
Conclusions It is important to identify and limit risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection to avoid its rapid transmission and evolution. Although external risk factors such as close proximity, poor ventilation, and aerosol production, may be easily recognized and modified, the same is not true of internal risk factors like obesity.
Obesity SARS SARS-Cov-2 Coronavirus Diabetes Diabetes Mellitus Hygiene Mortality Mutation Pandemic Personal Protective Equipment Public Health Respiratory Severe Acute Respiratory Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Syndrome
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