Physical Activity May Mitigate COVID-19 Infections In People With Obesity : A Call to Action

In addition to the mental health benefits, moderate-intensity physical activity produces strong immune and inflammatory benefits, and most of the beneficial compounds are synthesized in, or stimulated by, active skeletal muscles. Because skeletal muscle constitutes 30% to 40% of body weight, active muscles distribute positive effects throughout the body (13). In summary, all of these documented effects emphasize that moderate-intensity activities, such as walking, could have immediate beneficial impacts on immune function, inflammatory responses, mental health, and vaccine responsiveness, all of which could reduce the severity of COVID-19 in people with obesity. Based on the relationships among physical activity, obesity, immunity, and mental health, we strongly urge health care, public health, education, workplace, and health insurance professionals and organizations to prioritize physical activity to leverage its acute benefits and immediate protection during the pandemic. Public health organizations and health plans should develop internal and public communication campaigns that emphasize the importance of physical activity for the general population and more specifically for people with obesity as a mechanism to enhance immune responsiveness and potentially mitigate the severity of future infections, physically and mentally.

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Economos CD, Dietz WH, Tullie K, Sallis JF. (2021). Physical activity may mitigate COVID-19 infections in people with obesity: A call to action. Obesity (Silver Spring). 29:1987–1989. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23269