Obesity is a common, serious, and costly chronic disease. Having obesity puts people at risk for many other serious chronic diseases and increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Everyone has a role to play in turning the tide against adult and childhood obesity and its disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic minority groups.
Obesity Worsens Outcomes from COVID-19Adults and children with excess weight are at greater risk from COVID-19:
In adults:2023 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps
Racial and ethnic minority groups have historically not had broad opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health, and these inequities have increased the risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19 for some groups. Many of these same factors are contributing to the higher level of obesity in some racial and ethnic minority groups.
Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black adults have a higher prevalence of obesity and are more likely to suffer worse outcomes from COVID-19. Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children also have a higher prevalence of obesity. In 2017–2018, obesity affected 19.3% of children ages 2 to 19 years. However, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children had an obesity prevalence of 25.6% and 24.2%.
Steps States, Partners, and Healthcare Providers Can TakeObesity is a complex disease with many contributing factors. Policy makers and community leaders can work to ensure that their communities, environments, and systems support a healthy, active lifestyle for all. For more information, see What Can Be Done.
Steps to Take NowSystemic change takes time, as does long-term weight loss. In addition to the steps everyone should take to prevent the spread of COVID-19, individuals can help protect themselves and their families by:
Eating a healthy dietEating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains as well as the appropriate amount of calories is important for your health, and can help with weight loss and preventing weight gain.8 Good nutrition can help support optimal immune function.9,10 A healthy diet can help prevent or support self-management of diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes8, which also increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Being activePeople who do little or no physical activity are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 than those who are physically active. Regular physical activity helps you feel better, sleep better, and reduce anxiety. It can also help with preventing weight gain and when combined with calorie reduction, helps with weight loss.11 Physical activity can also help prevent diseases that increase a person’s chances of having severe illness from COVID-19 such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.11 Emerging research suggests it may also help boost immune function.12,13
Getting enough sleepInsufficient sleep has been linked to depression, as well as chronic diseases14 that may increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
Coping with stressStress during an infectious disease outbreak can sometimes cause changes in sleep or eating patterns, increased use of alcohol and tobacco, or worsening of chronic health problems.
Vaccinating Against COVID-19Vaccination can also keep adults and children from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19. Vaccinating children can help them stay in school and safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities. COVID-19 vaccines help protect whole families and slow the spread of COVID-19 in communities.
Over time, these actions can help individuals with obesity improve their overall health. And if they result in even modest weight loss, there are health benefits, such as improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars. And with a healthy weight, the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 is reduced.
Learn more about what can be done to ensure communities, environments, and systems support a healthy, active lifestyle for all.
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