[Comment] Mutually reinforced burdens of obesity and infections

00:00 - 09 Feb 2026

Obesity is associated with multiple non-communicable diseases (such as type 2 diabetes, various cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, and some cancers) and detrimental psychosocial consequences originating in the societal attitudes to obesity, leading to stigmatisation and discrimination.1 The contribution of obesity to communicable diseases has been recognised in the past but thought to play a minor role.2,3 However, during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, presence of obesity and its comorbidities appeared to be an important risk factor for a severe course of the infection.