• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search magnifying glass icon
Close Search X icon
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Provider measuring patients waist

Coronavirus and Obesity: What You Need to Know

Apr 14, 2020 |
By Steven J. Granier, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

If you or a loved one has underlying health conditions, including obesity, you may be especially worried about coronavirus (COVID-19). Because COVID-19 is a new virus, we are still learning a lot about it. Based on current information and data, it appears that patients who have COVID-19 and are obese are at a higher risk of becoming critically ill than those with COVID-19 who are not obese.

What is obesity?

Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher. Curious about your BMI? You can use the CDC’s Adult BMI Calculator to figure out your BMI by entering your weight and height. An important note is that BMI does not directly measure body fat, so on an individual level, it can be used as a screening tool but not as a diagnostic tool.

How is obesity linked to coronavirus?

Obesity is a very complicated health issue that results from a combination of causes and contributing factors. People who have obesity are at an increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions as opposed to those with a normal or healthy weight. These include high blood pressure (hypertension), Type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease. According to a report from the National Health Service’s Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre, two thirds of patients with COVID-19 who required critical care were also overweight or obese. The Louisiana Department of Health’s update from March 27 included a listing of underlying conditions among COVID-19 related patients, showing that 28% of those who died also had obesity.

I have obesity. How can I keep myself safe?

For those with obesity, your safest option is prevention. You should follow the precautions below:

  • Practice social distancing. Keep 6 feet of distance between you and other people because COVID-19 can be spread by droplets in the air, released when people sneeze or cough.
  • If you live with someone who is not feeling well, that person needs to be isolated in a separate part of the home. You should not share towels, dishes, bedding and other personal items. If possible, use separate bathrooms. Don’t sleep in the same bed.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently throughout the day for 20 seconds each time. Or, wash your hands with hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using household cleaning spray or disinfecting wipe.
  • Cover your sneeze with a tissue and throw it away immediately, or sneeze into your elbow.

I am concerned that I have COVID-19. What should I do?

If you start to experience symptoms of COVID-19, you should reach out to your physician or nurse through Ochsner Anywhere Care; the MyOchsner patient portal, which allows you to connect with your primary care physician or pediatrician; or call the Ochsner COVID-19 Info Line, our free nurse care line (1-844-888-2772). Your physician will be able to help navigate your symptoms to decide what is the best treatment option.

For general information about coronavirus, the Louisiana Department of Health offers its 211 hotline and the Mississippi State Department of Health can be reached at (877) 978-6453.

*Urgent care price decreased to $10 per visit temporarily during the events of COVID-19 and is subject to change.

For more information about coronavirus, please visit ochsner.org/coronavirus


Tags
coronavirus
obesity

You may also be interested in:

Woman smelling fresh flowers
Conditions & Treatment
May 16, 2022

I Can’t Smell Anything. Do I Have COVID-19?

Anosmia is the loss or altered sense of smell, and could be a symptom of COVID-19.
By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD and Edward McCoul, MD, MPH
Woman in quarantine looking over balcony1
January 7, 2022

Do’s and Don’ts of COVID-19 Testing

With updated information coming out daily on coronavirus (COVID-19), it is easy to be confused by what steps to take to keep you and your family healthy.
By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD
Face masks
Health Trends
September 4, 2020

How to Correctly Put On and Take Off Your Mask And Gloves

Cloth face coverings and gloves have become a common sight in our stores, restaurants and other public places, but it’s important you know how to properly put on and take off each item.
By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Sign Up

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide