A report in The Telegraph reveals that an analysis of over 15 thousand coronavirus patients has identified being overweight as a key factor in predicting serious complications from COVID-19.
177 hospitals participated in the study.
A number of theories have been suggested for why this should be so. Inflammation of adipose tissue can possibly contribute to a cytokine storm, where the immune system response damages a person's cells and can be life-threatening in its extent. Another theory is that the excess weight itself pushes against a person's diaphragm when prone, preventing the person from breathing sufficiently deeply.