The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for
the COVID-19 pandemic, has been shown to disrupt many organ systems in the human body.
Though several medical disorders have been affected by this infection, a few illnesses
in addition may also play a role in determining the outcome of COVID-19. Obesity is
one such disease which is not only affected by the occurrence of COVID-19 but can
also result in a worse clinical outcome of COVID-19 infection. This manuscript summarizes
the most recent evidence supporting the bidirectional impact of COVID-19 and obesity.
It highlights how the presence of obesity can be detrimental to the outcome of COVID-19
in a given patient because of the mechanical limitations in lung compliance and also
by the activation of several thrombo-inflammatory pathways. The sociodemographic changes
brought about by the pandemic in turn have facilitated the already increasing prevalence
of obesity. This manuscript highlights the importance of recognizing these pathways
which may further help in policy changes that facilitate appropriate measures to prevent
the further worsening of these two pandemics.
