Dr. Popkin and his colleagues were unable to pinpoint the risk of being merely overweight, because so few studies have examined that variable. Doctors observed early on in the pandemic that excess weight appeared to pose an extra risk to patients. Adipose tissue — the fat accumulated by the body — is itself biologically active, causing metabolic changes and abnormalities. Among those patients, 43 percent were obese, 30 percent overweight and 27 percent of healthy weight. After adjusting for age, diabetes and other such factors, the researchers found that patients who were overweight or obese were at increased risk for requiring mechanical assistance with breathing and were more likely to die.

Source: International New York Times October 10, 2020 19:54 UTC