Korean J Health Promot.  2020 Mar;20(1):1-9. 10.15384/kjhp.2020.20.1.1.

Association between Obesity and Infection

• Lee CJ
• Kim MJ
• An SJ

• KMID: 2502692
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15384/kjhp.2020.20.1.1

Abstract

Obesity and infection are interacting with each other. Infection causes obesity, and obesity contributes to the occurrence and deterioration of infection. The sources of infection that cause obesity include viruses such as adenovirus, intestinal viruses, bacteria such as intestinal microbes, parasites, and the antibiotics that cause these microbes to change. The above risk factors cause chronic inflammatory reactions in the body, and in addition, obesity is further accelerated when bad eating habits are accompanied. Among the infections that occur often in obese people and worsen their condition are various viral infections such as influenza viruses and coronavirus, bacterial infections that cause urinary tract infections or periodontal infections, respiratory infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, floor infections and infections in surgical areas. Infection in obesity increases complications, and reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics and vaccines. The mechanism between obesity and infection is a decrease in immunity resulting from increased chronic inflammation. Based on the evidence that obesity and infection cause and effect each other and interact with each other, it can be used for prevention and treatment of obesity. Studies related to the development of obesity vaccines and the maintenance of healthy intestinal microbes are under way, which is expected to reduce obesity and prevent future prevention. As a result, reducing obesity will reduce the risk and deterioration of infection.

Keyword

Obesity; Infections; Viruses; Coronavirus; Inflammation

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Obesity alters within-host viral population dynamics. Symptomatic obese host were shown to shed influenza A virus 42% longer than non-obese adults (adjusted event time ratio 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.89).[45]

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