Obesity in people with diabetes in COVID-19 times: Important considerations and precautions to be taken

• Published in: World journal of clinical cases 2021-07, Vol.9 (20), p.5358-5371
• Main Authors: Alberti, Adriano, Schuelter-Trevisol, Fabiana, Iser Betine, Pinto Moehlecke, Traebert, Eliane, Freiberger, Viviane, Ventura, Leticia, Rezin, Gislaine Tezza, da Silva, Bruna Becker, Meneghetti Dallacosta, Fabiana, Grigollo, Leoberto, Dias, Paula, Fin, Gracielle, De Jesus, Josiane Aparecida, Pertille, Fabiane, Rossoni, Carina, Hur Soares, Ben, Nodari Júnior, Rudy José, Comim, Clarissa Martinelli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Review
• ISSN: 2307-8960; 2307-8960
• DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i20.5358

At the end of 2019, a new disease with pandemic potential appeared in China. It was a novel coronavirus called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Later, in the first quarter of 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of this disease a pandemic. Elderly people, people with comorbidities, and health care professionals are more vulnerable to COVID-19. Obesity has been growing exponentially worldwide, affecting several age groups. It is a morbidity that is associated with genetic, epigenetic, environment factors and/or interaction between them. Obesity is associated with the development of several diseases including diabetes mellitus, mainly type 2. Diabetes affects a significant portion of the global population. Obesity and diabetes are among the main risk factors for the development of severe symptoms of COVID-19, and individuals with these conditions constitute a risk group. Based on a literature review on obesity in people with diabetes in the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study presents updated important considerations and care to be taken with this population.