Researchers at the University of North Carolina found that COVID-19 is far more dangerous for obese people than others. They found that people with a BMI over 30 were over 100 percent more likely to be hospitalized, three-quarters more likely to be admitted to the ICU, and almost 50 percent more likely to die from the virus. Why? Obesity increases your risk for other COVID risk factors, like high blood pressure and diabetes. It can cause inflammation that can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off an infection. There’s no quick fix for obesity, but even losing just a few pounds can help lower your risk of complications from the coronavirus.