Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

411
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
411
Lifestyle Factors and Health01:20

Lifestyle Factors and Health

40
Lifestyle factors play a critical role in maintaining overall health and preventing chronic diseases. Key elements, such as regular physical activity, a nutritious diet, and abstinence from smoking, can significantly enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being while reducing the risk of several life-threatening conditions.
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
40
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV01:26

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

26
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
26
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

6.1K
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
6.1K
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response01:20

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response

746
Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
746
Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

4.2K
When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
4.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Human Performance Optimization in Special Operations Forces: Structure, Outcomes, and Readiness Implications.

Military medicine·2026
Same author

Clinical Validation of the Belay Ascent™ Test to Report on Chromosomal Arm-Level Aneuploidy and Gene-Level Copy Number Variants in Cerebrospinal Fluid Using Low-Pass Whole-Genome Sequencing.

Cancers·2026
Same author

Clinical Utility of Belay Summit™ Cerebrospinal Fluid Test to Inform Diagnosis and Management of Central Nervous System Cancer-A Single Institution Case Series.

Cancers·2026
Same author

Variant Allelic Frequency to Track Therapy Response and Evaluate Leptomeningeal Disease in Metastatic Central Nervous System Cancers.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Effectiveness of Structured Breathwork Interventions on Heart Rate Variability and Heart Rate Recovery Following Maximal Exertion in Tactical Athletes.

Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2026
Same author

Analytical Validation and Clinical Sensitivity of the Belay Summit™ 2.0 Cerebrospinal Fluid Liquid Biopsy Test-An Expanded Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Platform for Central Nervous System Malignancies.

Cancers·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2025

A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats
06:28

A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats

Published on: April 28, 2023

796

Obesity, Physical Activity, and COVID-19.

Zachary Zeigler1, Anthony Acevedo2

  • 1Grand Canyon University, 19013 W Solano Dr. Litchfield Park, Phoenix, AZ, 85340, USA. Zachary.zeigler@gcu.edu.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|September 16, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical activity can significantly reduce your risk of contracting and experiencing severe symptoms of COVID-19. Exercise offers protection against the virus, while obesity increases susceptibility and severity.

Keywords:
COVID-19ImmunityObesityPhysical activitySedentary behaviorUpper body obesity

More Related Videos

Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes
08:30

Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes

Published on: March 15, 2018

14.1K
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
05:59

Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity

Published on: March 7, 2019

6.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2025

A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats
06:28

A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats

Published on: April 28, 2023

796
Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes
08:30

Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes

Published on: March 15, 2018

14.1K
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
05:59

Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity

Published on: March 7, 2019

6.7K

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Exercise Science

Background:

  • Over 80% of COVID-19 cases are mild or asymptomatic.
  • Hospitalization rates were 7-8% in the first year.
  • Obesity, sedentary behavior, and physical inactivity are identified risk factors for COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between lifestyle factors (obesity, physical activity) and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity.
  • To understand the underlying mechanisms linking these factors to COVID-19 outcomes.
  • To provide evidence-based recommendations for mitigating COVID-19 risk.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epidemiological studies and clinical evidence.
  • Analysis of data on obesity prevalence and physical activity levels in relation to COVID-19 infection and severity.
  • Examination of biological mechanisms, including inflammation and immune function.

Main Results:

  • Obese individuals have a 46% higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
  • Physically active individuals have an 11% reduced risk of contracting the virus.
  • Weight loss through bariatric surgery correlates with decreased COVID-19 susceptibility and severity.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity, sedentary behavior, and physical inactivity are significant risk factors for COVID-19 susceptibility and severity.
  • These lifestyle factors contribute to increased inflammation, immune dysfunction, and comorbidities.
  • Achieving 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week is recommended for COVID-19 protection.