COVID-19 and the Role of Chronic Inflammation in Patients with Obesity

The COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemicObesity associated diseases, caused by Sars-Cov-2, has spread globally since 2019. Obesity has emerged as a key risk factor associated with the disease. Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease with systemic inflammationInflammation, elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokinesAdipokines, playing a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients with obesity are additionally more prone to comorbidities that exacerbate the clinical course of COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), comprising of type 2 diabetesType 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular disease, and lung disease. Lastly, patients with obesity are at a heightened risk of clinically severe illness and mortality from COVID-19. Bariatric and metabolic surgeryMetabolic surgery is an evidence-based and safe treatment for patients with obesity, providing long-term benefits such as weight lossWeight loss, improved quality of life, improvement of obesity-associated comorbidities, and reduced chronic inflammationChronic inflammation. Due to the severe effects of the COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on individuals, health systems, and the obesogenicObesogenic environment, it is imperative that patients suffering from obesity receive prevention and treatment now more than ever before. The adverse changes in diet and exerciseExercise habits that have occurred during the COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic must now be evaluated and addressed.