COVID-19 disease, obesity and micronutrients: an updated narrative review of the literature
ISSN: 0034-6659
Article publication date: 4 November 2020
Issue publication date: 9 July 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to critically summarize the current data concerning the impact of obesity and micronutrient adequacy and supplementation on the risk and severity of COVID-19 disease, and their potential impact on treatment and rehabilitation.
Design/methodology/approach
PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were thoroughly searched to identify studies concerning obesity and nutritional status, vitamin and other micronutrients adequacy with COVID-19 severity.
Findings
Individuals with higher body mass index are in greater risk of severe disease and need for mechanical ventilation. Concerning micronutrient adequacy, no published studies at the present time have evaluated the effect of supplementation on the risk and the treatment of the novel disease.
Originality/value
Recently, COVID-19 has monopolized the interest of the medical community regarding diet and nutritional status and it possibly plays an important role in disease severity.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Afroditi Tsioufi for the English editing of the manuscript.
Conflict of interest: None.
Citation
Papadopoulou, S.K., Mantzorou, M., Koutridou, D., Tassoulas, E., Sakellaropoulou, S., Biskanaki, F., Xatziapostolou, E. and Papandreou, D. (2021), "COVID-19 disease, obesity and micronutrients: an updated narrative review of the literature", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 51 No. 5, pp. 808-824. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-08-2020-0310
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited