The association of overweight, obesity, and long-term obesity with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a meta-analysis of 9 population-based cohorts from the Netherlands Cohorts Consortium
Authors' conclusion
Overweight and obesity were associated with increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection with stronger associations for obesity. Individuals with a healthier weight prior to the pandemic but previous obesity did not have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that weight loss in those with obesity reduces infection risk. These results underline the importance of obesity prevention and weight management for public health.
Study context
- Population
- Participants of 9 prospective population-based cohorts of the Netherlands Cohorts Consortium; Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) assessed twice before the pandemic (≈5 years apart)
- Participants
- 99,570 participants9 cohorts
- Comparison
- Overweight and obesity vs healthy body weight
- Outcome
- SARS-CoV-2 infection: self-reported positive PCR or rapid-antigen test or physician-ascertained COVID-19
- Follow-up
- March 2020 to January 2023
Methodological detailsrandom-effects meta-analysis, standardized procedure, adjusted for age, sex, educational level and number of SARS-CoV-2 infection measurements, For 3 cohorts, SARS-CoV-2 infection by serology was available
- Random-effects meta-analysis
- Standardized procedure
- Adjusted for age, sex, educational level and number of SARS-CoV-2 infection measurements
- For 3 cohorts, SARS-CoV-2 infection by serology was available
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection
Each group vs healthy body weightOdds ratio (95% CI)
Overweight
1.08(1.04–1.13)
Obesity
1.43(1.18–1.75)
Abdominal overweightI2 = 0%
1.09(1.04–1.14)
Abdominal obesityI2 = 57%
1.24(0.999–1.55)
Further pooled results
Long-term obesity: obesity long before the pandemic but healthy weight or overweight just before
- Not at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Original publication
The association of overweight, obesity, and long-term obesity with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a meta-analysis of 9 population-based cohorts from the Netherlands Cohorts Consortium. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 31 October 2024. doi:10.
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